Since 1996, the Women’s Sports Foundation has funded the It Takes A Team Project, which worked at various levels to provide equal athletic opportunities for LGBTs in the United States. Founder and president, Pat Griffin, who is openly gay, announced in December that the foundation was folding because of the economy.
“I have a boundless commitment and passion for addressing LGBT issues in sport and will take time to figure out how to best move forward with this work,” Griffin told OutSports.com. “I am not ready to hang up the spikes yet and will take some time to decide how to get back in the game.”
The Women’s Sports Foundation worked toward creating an athletic climate that is respectful and safe for all people and eliminating barriers to all girls being active and healthy. It Takes A Team! Education Campaign for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Sport is an education project focused on eliminating homophobia as a barrier to all women and men participating in sport.
The organization’s primary goals are to develop and disseminate practical educational information and resources to athletic administrators, coaches, parents and athletes at the high school and college levels to make sport safe and welcoming for all.
Prejudice against lesbian and bisexual women in sports discourages girls and women from participating in sport out of fear of being called “lesbian,” according to Griffin. Homophobic attitudes and policies that target lesbian and bisexual athletes, coaches and administrators perpetuate this prejudice, she says, and the practical effects of such discrimination and prejudice are that all female athletes are denied a healthy and fulfilling sport experience and environment.
“The project is intended to help coaches and school administrators educate student-athletes about the harmful effects of homophobia and asks the question, ‘How can we make sure that people in athletics are evaluated, not based on their sexual orientation or gender expression, but on their individual character and accomplishments?’” Griffin said.
The resources for high school and college athletes collected over the years will remain online at ItTakesATeam.com, according to Griffin.
“We have also developed collaborative relationships with 18 national educational, advocacy and athletic organizations and produced a successful monthly e-letter with more than 3,000 subscribers,” Griffin said. “I have lots of energy and commitment to continue my work on LGBT issues in sport. It Takes A Team will end, but my work on LGBT issues in sport will continue.”
