FGG at 13th World Sport for All Congress, post 6

Here's a complement to the reports from Darl Schaaff, who is representing the FGG at the 13th World Sport for All Congress (more info on the congress HERE.)The following is the abstract for the presentation made by the Norwegian Olympic Committe for the Congress:

"With Sports Against Homophobia": Experiences from a 3-year project in the National Olympic Committee

Presented by Mr. Havard B. Ovregard,
Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) havard.ovregard@idrettsforbundet.no


Introduction

The project “With Sport s Against Homophobia” has been run by The Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) in partnership with LLH - The Norwegian LGBT Association, and The Norwegian People’s Aid (working with anti-racism), the project lasted for 3 years 07-09. The project was partly funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Equality.

The project aimed to promote sport as an open and secure arena where LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) persons feel at home as athletes, coaches, referees and fans.

As one of the first larger scale project by a national mainstream sport organisation addressing sexual orientation and homophobia, the project provides unique experience from a topical area usually avoided or ignored by sport organisations.


Development

The NIF Sport Policy Document 2007-2011 states zero-tolerance for discrimination and harassment regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation and disability. It also specifically mentions that lesbians, gays and bisexuals are – differing from many other minorities – an invisible group, and that it is therefore an extra challenge to contribute to dissemination of knowledge and information in order for this group to be fully accepted within sports.


The strategic aims of the project have been; 1) to increase awareness about discrimination based on sexual orientation; 2) to promote sport politics against discrimination based on sexual orientation; 3) to develop and promote measures hindering homophobia, including raising awareness-raising and attitude-challenging methodology; 4) through sports promote good role-models and healthy attitudes towards different sexual orientation; and 5) stimulate a situation in which action against discrimination based on sexual orientation is part of the daily work of sport organisations.

The project has worked closely towards and in cooperation with the national sport federations and regional confederations.


Conclusions

Through the project period, there has been a significant increase in sport federations/confederations addressing the issue. From being a “taboo” topic within organised sport, the topic is now more easily addressed. The discourse on sexual orientation and sport in the national media has also changed; from portraying sport as one of the last “homophobic arenas” in society, to focusing on those positive efforts made by sport federations/confederations.

The project has harvested many experiences and important knowledge on how this topic can be addressed, and what obstacles might occur. It has been important to focus on the responsibility of the sport organisation, and not on the individual gay/lesbian/bisexual athlete. The connection between gender roles and homophobia has been an important conclusion from the project.

After the end of the project period (31/12-09), work on the topic is now integrated in the activities of the NIF secretariat.



Keywords: homophobia, diversity, LGBT, discrimination, NOC