Video: Lincoln students campaign to stamp out homophobia in sport
Students at the University of Lincoln are campaigning to raise awareness after a new zero tolerance policy was introduced to eliminate discrimination.
The Stamp It Out campaign follows research from NUS that found homophobic attitudes prevented students participating in sport because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
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The research carried out by NUS in 2011/12 examined the sporting experiences of LGBT students in the UK and identified that there are cultural and structural barriers that prevent participation.
Lincoln Students’ Union is now asking its students to sign a pledge to say they’ll agree to abide by the policy, and so far 480 students have signed it.
Jennine Fox, Lincoln SU President, said: “We hope by introducing the zero tolerance policy at our AGM in January it will raise awareness of this issue, not just at Lincoln but across the UK specifically in higher education. Although this year we’re focussing on eliminating homophobia in sport, this is just part of a much larger campaign that we hope will eliminate all forms of discrimination at our University.”
As part of the campaign, the SU on Friday SU organised a 500-balloon launch in the square outside the university library to raise more signatures.
The facts and figures
From the National Union of Students (NUS) research:
- 46.8% of LGBT students who do not participate in sport find the culture around sport alienating or unwelcoming
- 41.9% had a negative experience at school which has meant that they don’t want to get involved at college or university
- 14.3% had experienced homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia which has put them off from participating
- 18.7% were put off by gendered sports teams, and this rose to 38.9% of trans respondents
- 9.4% were put off by gender-specific kit and/or clothing, and this rose to 36.1% for trans respondents
- 12.8% do not find the facilities, such as showers or changing rooms, inclusive and this rose to 36.1% for trans respondents
