Northwestern University study on athletic trainers' attitudes toward gay and lesbian athletes

Hudson Taylor has posted a link to an article that led us to this study in the Journal of Athletic Training. Here's an extract from the introduction:

Although researchers have considered the factors that affect attitudes toward homosexuals (eg, sex, race, religion, education, contact experience, and values), information about these factors in the context of sport is absent. Males have been found to hold more negative attitudes toward homosexuals than do females. Those who are more religious tend to have more negative attitudes toward LGBs. Race also may be a factor in determining attitudes. People with more education tend to have more positive attitudes toward homosexuals than do those with less education. Lastly, people with more contact experience with homosexuals tend to hold more positive attitudes toward LGBs.

No published literature could be found investigating ATs' attitudes toward LGB student-athletes. According to Perrin, “To become more diverse as a profession [athletic training] is to become more inclusive and accepting of students and colleagues regardless of color, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.” Maurer-Starks et al discussed the importance of not tolerating environments that do not support positive physical and mental health for all patients. Although a foundation exists to treat patients equally in athletic training, Maurer-Starks et al suggested that “More activities, research, and policies are needed to provide support services, dialogue, education, and educational materials to current and future athletic trainers.”

To begin to assess the climate and culture within athletic training facilities as related to LGB student-athletes, a number of studies could be conducted. Because the athletic environment is apparently not yet viewed as safe for LGB student-athletes, we selected ATs as the population of study. Previous researchers on LGB issues have relied upon the use of attitudinal scales and measures to assess the climate toward LGB individuals. Therefore, we developed and conducted a study to evaluate the attitudes of ATs toward LGB student-athletes with the idea that collecting benchmark data of this nature would represent one step forward in helping to better understand the situation and the depth of the challenges that may exist.

Thus, the purpose of our study was to determine heterosexual ATs' attitudes toward LGB student-athletes at NCAA institutions. By understanding these attitudes, we can help the athletic community to become better informed about creating inclusive environments in athletic health care.