A Plaintiff’s Lawyer’s Perspective on Bullying of Queer Athletes

By Lindy Korn, Esq.   Having represented a few gay athletes, the following observations stem from settlements reached prior to trial for claims of gender and sex discrimination in athletic departments.   Bullying is based on the notion of Power and the abuse of power, either real or apparent. Team sports foster competitive spirit that easily translates into winners and losers, those who perform and get recognized and those who are blamed and shunned. The rituals of the locker room cul