Evaluating LGBTI+ Inclusion within Sport and the Pride Cup Initiative

In July 2019, VicHealth commissioned researchers from the Faculty of Education, Monash University to undertake an evaluation to measure the impact of the Pride Cup program and resources. Existing research highlights the lower participation rates of people who identify as LGBTI+. Gay and bisexual teenage males play team sport at less than half the rate of their heterosexual peers, whilst girls who identify as lesbian are known to experience discrimination and exclusion within some sport settings (Drury, 2011). Transgender young people frequently report negative and exclusionary experiences when seeking to participate in sport (Hargie, Mitchell, Somerville, 2017). The evaluation contributes to an understanding of what works in LGBTI+ inclusion approaches within sport and why, in relation to changing long outdated attitudes and behaviours. Despite the problem of LGBTI+ discrimination and exclusion from sport being well studied, there is very little research focused on finding effective solutions.