There is currently a widespread opinion in society that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people are underrepresented in mainstream sport. Furthermore, sport is considered a field where sexual prejudice is palpable (Gill et al. 2006). Therefore, many LGBT people may feel discouraged from participating in sport at a grassroots level. Thus, many young LGBT individuals may not have access to LGBT sporting role models in the media (LGBTSRMITM), who by example, may inspire them to imitate their behaviour (MacCallum & Beltman 2002). This is an area which has not been directly researched before, so a quantitative survey of 23 LGBT youth (aged 18-25) at Monash University was undertaken to ascertain whether LGBTSRMITM influence young LGBT
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However, this study’s results only relate to the experience of gay males, not those of other sexualities or gender identities, so the current study will try to address this. If young LGBT people perceive a lack of LGBT role models in mainstream sport, fear of discrimination may reduce their own participation. However, Eng (2006, p. 54) conducted interviews with 18 Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual sports people and found that prejudice and conflicting gender and sexuality norms motivated participation in sport. Therefore, the current research aims to ascertain whether a lack of LGBT role models negatively affects young LGBT people’s participation in …show more content…
Additionally, 9 (34.8%) participants identified as Gay, 2 (8.7%) as Lesbian, 11 (52.2%) as Bisexual and 1 (4.3%) as ‘other’. Due to the nature of the research and the specific attributes of the target population, non-probability sampling methods were used. Purposive sampling, which is choosing participants based on criteria (Neuman 2011) was used due to the study only focussing on LGBT students. Furthermore, LGBT people perceive university as a safe place, so convenience sampling was also used, which selecting participants due to their accessibility (Babbie 2017).
Data Collection Methods
A quantitative method, an online survey was chosen as anonymity may allow for less socially desirability responses, so may increase the sample size and therefore, the generalisability of the data. Thus, improved accuracy may increase the studies’ validity (Cowles & Nelson 2015). The participants self-completed the questionnaire on SurveyMonkey and the questions assessed the influence of LGBTSRMITM on participant’s self-esteem, sexual identity, resilience (which were themes from the literature) and sports participation.
Data Analysis
However, this study’s results only relate to the experience of gay males, not those of other sexualities or gender identities, so the current study will try to address this. If young LGBT people perceive a lack of LGBT role models in mainstream sport, fear of discrimination may reduce their own participation. However, Eng (2006, p. 54) conducted interviews with 18 Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual sports people and found that prejudice and conflicting gender and sexuality norms motivated participation in sport. Therefore, the current research aims to ascertain whether a lack of LGBT role models negatively affects young LGBT people’s participation in …show more content…
Additionally, 9 (34.8%) participants identified as Gay, 2 (8.7%) as Lesbian, 11 (52.2%) as Bisexual and 1 (4.3%) as ‘other’. Due to the nature of the research and the specific attributes of the target population, non-probability sampling methods were used. Purposive sampling, which is choosing participants based on criteria (Neuman 2011) was used due to the study only focussing on LGBT students. Furthermore, LGBT people perceive university as a safe place, so convenience sampling was also used, which selecting participants due to their accessibility (Babbie 2017).
Data Collection Methods
A quantitative method, an online survey was chosen as anonymity may allow for less socially desirability responses, so may increase the sample size and therefore, the generalisability of the data. Thus, improved accuracy may increase the studies’ validity (Cowles & Nelson 2015). The participants self-completed the questionnaire on SurveyMonkey and the questions assessed the influence of LGBTSRMITM on participant’s self-esteem, sexual identity, resilience (which were themes from the literature) and sports participation.
Data Analysis