60% of Scottish sports fans have witnessed homophobic abuse and one in six would be embarrassed if their favourite player came out as gay
Homophobic abuse among sports fans is more widespread in Scotland than it is in the rest of the UK.
A new report for equality charity Stonewall Scotland found that 60% of Scottish sports fans have witnessed homophobic abuse compared to the UK average of 51%.
The research also reveals that 15% of Scottish sports fans would be embarrassed if their favourite player came out as gay.
Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland, said: “The majority of Scottish sport fans see anti-LGBT chants and abuse as a problem, and want sport to be a welcoming environment for everyone. There is however, a minority who still see this type of abusive behaviour as acceptable on our terraces, in the pub, or on social media.
This minority of fans may think that anti-LGBT language is ‘harmless’ banter, but such insults and abuse makes LGBT fans and players feel unsafe, unwelcome and unable to be themselves
“This minority of fans may think that anti-LGBT language is ‘harmless’ banter, but such insults and abuse makes LGBT fans and players feel unsafe, unwelcome and unable to be themselves.”
Football fans are the most likely to hear anti-LGBT+ language or behaviour, with 82% of Scottish fans who had witnessed something at a sporting event, saying that took place in relation to the game.
Despite the negative stats there were some encouraging trends.
Almost three in five (58%) Scottish sports fans say they wish more sports players were open about their sexual orientation.
Nine in 10 people said they would be proud or not affected if their favourite player came out as gay.
Furthermore, more than two thirds (68%) of fans in Scotland say more should be done to make LGBT people feel accepted in sport.
The majority (79%) said they would be happy to play alongside a bisexual teammate and 71% with a transgender teammate.
ICM's research was commissioned by Stonewall as part of its Rainbow Laces campaign, which has previously seen some high profile football players switch the laces in its football boots for multi-coloured ones.
The charity has developed a range of measures to tackle the problems raised in the research, including a sports toolkit for grassroots and community sport to build awareness and understanding of the issues affecting LGBT people, and how they can help ensure all sports offer an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
Macfarlane added: “We need all our clubs, coaches, PE teachers and sports personalities to take a stand as allies against this behaviour, and help make sport everyone’s game.
“We can show that anti-LGBT abuse has no place in Scotland, and no place in sport.”
