ABSTRACT
This chapter considers how the culture of sporting environments situated in the broader context regarding equity and inclusion in adolescent educational settings can either undermine or promote the safety and development of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) participants. Many young people from the LGBT community experience discrimination and bullying resulting in mental health problems and damaging educational outcomes. Set within learning contexts that endorse cultural and institutional heteronormativity, transforming practice to support inclusivity, fostering a sense of belonging and protecting against harassment is vital. This chapter focuses its discussion on issues affecting LGBT youth and how educators can establish safe, supportive environments by addressing attitudes and perceptions in preparation for working with these students. The chapter provides contextual background that illustrates how LGBT people experience discrimination before drawing on case study from the ‘Football4Peace v Homophobia campaign’ (F4PvH), that provides evidence-based guidance for practitioners on good practice in developing and implementing coaching and teaching strategies that utilise diversity as a pedagogic resource and promote LGBT advocacy.
