ABSTRACT
The chapter presents the results of a qualitative study on the experiences of gay male athletes in Spain participating in an international sports event, which explored the social dynamics and customs of the LGBTQ population in this context. The main research technique used in this study was individual interviews. The results showed interesting narratives that helped identify the key aspects of the relations between the homosexual condition of these people, their sports trajectories, and their associations with LGBTQ sports clubs. Similarly, these narratives made it possible to demonstrate the strong revindicative character of the studied event, which aimed to condemn discrimination against, and at the same time make visible, the LGBTQ population in the context of a sports competition. This innovative study provides clues regarding so-called dissonant or disruptive sports activities.
