While some studies have found the overall atmosphere at colleges such as Boston University to be improving for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students, many have failed to include athletes who identify as LGBTQ in their respondent pools, according to a new report.
Nancy Lyons, BU Athletics senior associate director for compliance and student services, said students and student athletes must learn about LGBTQ challenges and become more aware.
“Education needs to be provided on these issues before these individuals become part of our community, and on a continuing basis thereafter in order to dispel discriminatory attitudes and end harassment,” she said.
Due to changes in college athletics and the continued harassment of LGBTQ athletes, Campus Pride reissued its 2012 LGBTQ National College Athlete Report on March 18, according to a Campus Pride press release.
Researchers surveyed 8,481 student athletes from universities around the U.S., according to the release. Nine percent of the student athletes surveyed reported they had experienced harassment that impeded their ability to work or learn on campus.
LGBTQ student athletes at universities around the nation experienced a more negative climate than their heterosexual peers, which influenced their athletic identities and reports of academic success, according to the release.
Campus Pride will be launching an athletic index to allow colleges and universities to benchmark LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs and practices in college athletics, the release stated. The index, to be released in the fall of 2013, would rank colleges on their acceptance and friendliness toward LGBTQ athletes based on its findings.
Although many colleges have reported harassment of LGBTQ athletes, Lyons said she has not heard of any issues arising at BU.
“We make a concerted effort to ensure that all our student athletes are treated fairly, with sensitivity and without discrimination,” Lyons said. “The student could come to a coach or any member of the athletic department administration or sports medicine staff.”
Coaches do not have to undergo any specific training at BU in order to be able to address any LGBTQ issues, but there are resources available through the NCAA, Lyons said.
She said BU plans to include training for student athletes and staff in the future.
Jeremy Bernier, a School of Education sophomore, said college students overall are accepting of people regardless of their sexual orientation.
“Colleges in general are more accepting than the general world,” he said. “People at college tend to be better educated, and better-educated people tend to be more accepting.”
However, he said he has seen some subtle anti-gay attitudes on BU-related Facebook pages, such as the “BU Confessions” group.
Meghan Leary, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore, said all areas of university life could be improved regarding the acceptance of LGBTQ students.
“Across the board, it needs to change for everyone,” she said. “There is still ostracism of LGBTQ. Sports are one aspect of that.”
Tina Hoppe, a School of Hospitality Administration senior, said sexual orientation is irrelevant in athletics.
“[At BU] we base our thoughts on skills for the game, not anything else,” she said. “If you can play the game, you can play … There should be less focus on sexual orientation because it has nothing to do with the talent or skill that athletes bring to practice and games and all other team activities.”
Hoppe said she finds BU Athletics to be accepting of students regardless of their LGBTQ status.
“The reality is that LGBTQ athletes are everywhere and should not be treated any differently than heterosexual athletes,” she said. “The BU Athletics community is extremely open-minded and accepting of all athletes despite their sexual orientation.”
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