Use Of Homophobic Language Research Articles

Effectiveness of an educational intervention targeting homophobic language use by young male athletes: a cluster randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveHomophobic language is common in male sport and associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes for all sport participants, but particularly for gay or bisexual youth populations. Evidence-based interventions...

Football and Homosexually Themed “Banter”: The Disconnect between Positive Social Attitudes toward Gay People and the Use of Homophobic Language

Football and Homosexually Themed “Banter”: The Disconnect between Positive Social Attitudes toward Gay People and the Use of Homophobic Language

Homophobia in Brazilian football: A critical discourse analysis of fans’ comments in online football forums

Football is one of the many fields where the display of orthodox masculinity, often related to sexism and homophobia, reaches its peak. Studies indicate that such behaviors negatively affect athletes who do not fit heteronormative standards and closeted gay players, who fear coming out due to an intimidating and toxic environment. Fans have been central to some empirical studies investigating homophobia in football; however, most research to date focuses on western countries. Through the lens of Critical Discourse Analysis, this paper examines how Brazilian football fans see the presence of openly gay players on a men's team. One hundred and fifty comments were collected from thirteen online football forums. The results indicate similarities in the responses provided by Brazilian fans compared to western studies. Although fans’ positive views towards the presence of openly gay players were expressed, homophobic opinions were also identified in this environment. Several fans also demonstrated no objection to the use of homophobic language. The present study is relevant to the existing literature as it aids in clarifying previous notions of homophobia in Brazilian football. At the same time, it problematizes and officially places Brazil on the map of studies on the topic.

Relationships between attitudes and norms with homophobic language use in male team sports

ObjectivesThis study addresses a need for quantitative research examining factors supporting the frequent use of homophobic language (e.g., fag) in male team sports which has a range of negative health impacts on gay and bisexual males. Intervention methods are needed to stop this behaviour, but little is known about why this language remains common. DesignCross-Sectional survey. MethodMale Rugby Union (n=97; ages 16 -18 years) and Ice Hockey players (n=146; ages 16 - 31 years) self-reported their use of homophobic language and completed measures of homophobic attitudes and descriptive and injunctive norms related to language use on their team. Bivariate and multivariate analyses examined factors associated with this behaviour. ResultsOver half of participants (53.8%) self-reported using homophobic language at least once in the previous two weeks. No relationship was found between homophobic attitudes and language use. In contrast, norm measures had a strong, positive relationship with this behaviour. In multivariate analyses, norms uniquely accounted for almost one-half of the variance in language use. The addition of descriptive norms into the full model led to the largest increase in R2 of .340 (F(1,200)=130.816, p<.001). ConclusionsHomophobic language use was related to norms, rather than homophobic attitudes. Interventions targeting changes to these norms could be an effective method to change this behaviour. This finding contributes to a growing body of evidence that norms are associated with a range of negative behaviours by male athletes.

“So begins the demise of #Superman from Metropolis”: Consumers’ Twitter reactions to an athlete’s transgression

When athlete transgressions occur both on and off the field, there can be negative impacts on stakeholders. Therefore, it is essential to explore how consumers react to transgressions to gain a better understanding of how they can be successfully managed. The purpose of this study was to explore consumers’ Twitter reactions to an athlete’s transgression using a homophobic slur, drawing on critical discourse studies as a conceptual framework. Using Visual Twitter Analytics (Vista), tweets were collected over the 2017 Toronto Blue Jays’ season. For this study, the subset of tweets related to the incident were isolated. We found a duality in discourses, in that consumers shared perspectives for and against the use of homophobic language in sport. Practically, many consumers supported the idea of athletes being assigned a punishment for this type of language use. While consequences may satisfy some consumers, a cultural change within the organization and fan base is required to create an inclusive sport environment regarding language use.

The influence of group values and behavior on adolescent male perceptions of and use of homophobic language

IntroductionThe pervasive and derogatory use of homophobic language is a threat to safe, respectful, and inclusive school environments. Group membership has been shown to influence how students use homophobic language. Previous qualitative studies have largely approached the use of this language from the theoretical framework of hegemonic masculinity. In contrast, the current study actively challenged all assumptions about the use of this language. MethodThis study was conducted in a public high school located in a rural conservative Christian community in the Intermountain West (USA). Using hermeneutic qualitative methodology to assess individual perceptions of homophobic language, 20 randomly selected 12th-grade male students (17–18 years of age) were individually interviewed. ResultsThree distinct groups emerged during our interviews: students on the debate team, students who strongly identified with a conservative religion, and students on popular athletic teams. Membership in specific peer groups influenced how students participated in or abstained from using homophobic language. Contrary to the prevailing research that pairs religiosity with negatively biased attitudes toward LGBTQIA, in this study, participants' religious beliefs appeared to be associated with respecting others' feelings and a decreased likelihood of using homophobic language. ConclusionsAfter summarizing this study's findings, we conclude with implications for practice. To more effectively deter the use of homophobic language, we encourage school-based interventions that target specific groups of adolescents and consider the social context in which homophobic language occurs.

That’s so homophobic? Australian young people’s perspectives on homophobic language use in secondary schools

It is generally accepted that hearing homophobic language can be detrimental to the well-being of same-sex attracted young people. Writing Themselves In 3, a survey of Australian same-sex attracted young people, found that almost half of the respondents reported hearing such language on a regular basis, and considered it offensive. Less is known however about heterosexual young people’s experiences. Homophobic language use is often assumed to be motivated by prejudice, but this topic has not been well studied. Using interviews and an online discussion with young people aged 16–21 years, this study explored heterosexual young people’s perspectives on homophobic language use at school. Contrary to the framing often used in anti-homophobia education, the meaning of this form of language was seen to largely depend on the context in which it was employed, frequently functioning to reinforce masculine gender norms, particularly for popular male students. Furthermore, while many heterosexual participants in this study used homophobic language regularly, they did not see themselves as homophobic and viewed school policies against the use of homophobic language as largely ineffective. Findings suggest that heterosexual young people may respond more favourably to anti-homophobia education if these programmes acknowledge the variety of meanings and functions of language commonly understood to be homophobic in character.

Teachers reflect on homophobia in the Cypriot education system: A qualitative study

ABSTRACTA review of the academic and lay literature concerning Cyprus reveals that homophobia is prevalent throughout society. This research aimed to investigate homophobia through the narratives of educators. Twenty-three teachers were randomly selected out of the pool of volunteers in a training project. Aspects of homophobia previously reported in literature were investigated and categories emerged. Analyses of results show that homophobia manifests itself through the use of homophobic language in school settings and through homophobic bullying incidents. Results were expected according to previous reports investigating LGBT issues and gender and ethnic identity formation processes.

The Gay Word in a Junior Classroom

Teachers concerned with issues of social justice are sometimes confronted by classroom incidents that compel them to take action. This article draws on an incident in a primary school setting where deprecating language, used toward a child of lesbian parents, challenged the teacher to confront the issue of homophobic language. The teacher worked in consultation with the school community to provide a real-life learning opportunity about diverse family structures. Written in a narrative style, the teacher's voice is used to articulate the incident and the dilemmas he confronted. To explore the issues, this article shows that “difference” in an educational setting can be both positive and problematic; educators can challenge the unjust use of homophobic language; and the need for visible gay role models extends not only to students but also to gay educators.

Tackling homophobic language: The responsibility of all staff

Schools have a responsibility to address use of homophobic language among their pupils. Here, Alastair Tallon outlines the nature of the problem and the action that can be taken.

Neoliberal Homophobic Discourse: Heteronormative Human Capital and the Exclusion of Queer Citizens

In this article, I examine the relationship between homophobic language use and its broader social context, focusing on how a U.S.-based, conservative Christian organization's institutionalized homophobic text-making practices seek to derive legitimacy from the broader political economic discourses associated with the neoliberal moment. Using the Family Research Council's statement on marriage and the family as the basis for analysis, I demonstrate how the organization seeks to represent lesbian and gay subjects and their kinship formations as a threat to human capital development because they are based on affectional relationships that neither reflect nor respond to the kinds of self-governance and marketization that neoliberalism requires of all citizen–subjects and their families. Linguistic strategies for creating such representations include lexical choices that avoid overtly identifying lesbian and gay subjects as the object of discussion, the creation of a taxonomy for what constitutes “proper” families—based on neoliberal principles—that implicitly excludes lesbian and gay kinship formations, and the use of neoliberal discourses of self-governance and marketization as the basis for that exclusion.

The use of homophobic language across bullying roles during adolescence

This study examined the use of homophobic epithets in association with multiple bullying roles (i.e., primary bully, reinforcing and assisting the bully, defending the victim, and remaining uninvolved) among 253 high school students. Use of homophobic epithets was significantly associated with the primary bully role and the supportive roles of reinforcing and assisting the bully for boys and girls. Remaining uninvolved was associated with less use of homophobic language only for girls. Furthermore, engaging in multiple bullying roles predicted more frequent use of homophobic epithets among boys. However, a more complex relation existed for girls. The reinforcer role significantly predicted more frequent use of homophobic epithets for girls, but to a greater extent for those who also engaged in the primary bully role. Findings provide a broader social understanding of how homophobic language may be used as part of bullying, and carry several implications for professionals in schools.