LGBT sports charter launched to tackle homophobia

62% of LGBT respondents have either witnessed or experienced homophobia or transphobia in sport. Picture: PA

It will also set out principles for better inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Scottish sport.

The Equality Network will unveil the new Scottish LGBT sports charter today during an event at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

The Scottish Football Association (SFA), sportscotland, Team Scotland, Scottish Athletics and Waterski Scotland are among the first sports and governing bodies to sign up.

The new charter includes a set of five principles which aim to remove the barriers to sport for LGBT people and tackle homophobia and transphobia in Scottish sport.

It was developed in response to the findings of the Equality Network’s 2012 Out for Sport report which revealed that three-fifths of people surveyed believed homophobia to be a problem in sport.

The study found 62% of LGBT respondents have either witnessed or experienced homophobia or transphobia in sport while only 5% thought enough was being done to tackle the issue.

Almost three-fifths of LGBT people (57%) said they would be more likely to participate in sport if it was more LGBT-friendly.