Does the type of sport we play determine our sexuality? I personally don't believe so. I’m speaking of the stereotypes people associate with certain sports, particularly sexual orientation.
Sports that are masculine such as basketball and soccer, women who play those sports are assumed to be lesbians. And sports that are seen as feminine, like cheer, men as assumed to be gay (fun fact: cheer started as an all-male group, women didn't join until 20 years later). Very masculine sports like football, men are assumed to be straight. The stereotypes we associated with certain sports, almost make it “ok” to be that way. For example, on our team we have a mix of gay and straight boys. I know, that if one of the straight ones came out as gay, people (including some on the team) wouldn’t really be shocked.
It’s a double edged sword—people who are gay, may or may not be offended if someone thought they were straight and vice-versa with those who are straight. Even though we want to think objectively to prevent assumptions, it just turns those assumptions around.
Being open about sexuality can be a positive thing as well. On my previous cheer teams, the gay boys try to hit on the straight ones and it is all fun and games. It creates an open environment because the straight boys know they are just kidding and in a weird sense, adds to our team morale. We are comfortable with our own personalities and sexualities that we focus on our skills and goals and joke around at the same time.But why does sexuality matter in sport? It doesn’t make you better or worse in what you do, it is just another piece of who you are. That’s what great about sports, when you watch it, you look at game and what is going on—not the sexual orientation of the athlete.
Vanessa Reyes 339I
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