Student-Athletes Facing Sexual Orientation Harassment or Discrimination Have Legal Recourse

By Claire Williams*   Although society has become more accepting of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender individuals, sport has largely been resistant to change. Mainstream sporting venues both exclude and demonize queer athletes and fans through strategies such as homophobic language, misogyny, and sexism. Victims of sexual orientation harassment and discrimination are often silenced for fear of repercussion and may be unaware that legal protection exists which prohibits such actions