EGLSF conference
United agains Homophobia in Sport
Questions for my presentation
• What kind of research into homonegativity
and heteronormativity in sports has been
undertaken in Denmark and to what extent
does existing research match with and
legitimate policy questions and decisions?
Questions for my presentation
• We would also like to discuss whether a
European research project into this topic
would be fruitful and what kind of study this
would be
Tommy Kristoffersen CV
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Volunteering in mainstream and gay sport
10 years in Danish Sport Confederation
President of EuroGames 2003
Sports Director of the WorldOutgames 2009
Project manager for ISCA
Research in Denmark
• What kind of research into homonegativity
and heteronormativity in sports has been
undertaken in Denmark ?
Research
• Blank site 
Leader of Department of Exercise and
Sports Science
• Else Trangbæk:
• ”I will try a see what, and if I
can find something about
this issue”
Professor in Department of Exercise
and Sports Science
• Gertrud Pfister:
• “I do not know of any research in
Denmark and any researchers
doing work in this area in
Denmark”
• I have the feeling (it is just a feeling) that
homophobia is not such a big issue here?? The
press handles lesbian handball players without a
lot of homophobia
International Director, Play the Game
• Jens Sejer Andersen:
• ”I will be surpriced if you
can find any research”
• ”It does not seem to have
any interest for the sports confederations
– at least not for the Danish Soccer
Federation”
What have sports federations done?
• The two biggest sports federations in
Denmark (Danish Gymnastic and Sports
Associations DGI) and Sports Confederation of
Denmark DIF) have not done any research or
specific projects in this area
What kind of experience do we have in
general in Denmark?
• Sports events
• Media debate and TV programmes
World Outgames
• DGI and DIF supported EuroGames 2003
• DGI and DIF were very important partners in World Outgames 2009.
• Sportsprogramme organised by LGBT and main
stream sports organisations and clubs
• Many substainable partnerships were
established.
• Volunteers, education program, best practice, event
management etc.)
Legacy of World Outgames
• The Sports, Culture and Human Rmeights
program at the World Outgames 2009 had a
big influence on mainstream organisations ,
church, NGO`s and in
some parts of business
• LGBT sport and LGBT life
became very visible and
shown in a new context
TVs Sport
• The media has followed the debate about
socceer players at a high level
• TV programme 27th of September 2012.
• Lars Jacobsen Danish national player
• ” I would not come out
myself if I was gay, it would
create to much attention”
Homofobi in elite sport
• Goal keeper Arek Onyszko made homophobic
comments about gays in a book
• The Danish Superliga clubs OB
• and FCM kicked him out.
• OB made a match between
• ”LGBT national team” and another minority
team.
• We would also like to discuss whether a
European research project into this topic
would be fruitful and what kind of study this
could be
Pan Idræt is proactive
• Pan Idræt is Copenhagen’s LGBT sports club
with 17 sports and is the largest LGBT
organisation in Denmark.
• Because of the homophobia experienced by
its football section, the issue has been
discussed with DGI and the Culture (sports)
minister Uffe Elbæk on several occasions
• Pan Idræt now has a goal for a campaign
similar to that in UK to be launched in
Denmark
• Meeting with ministry tomorrow (12 Oct)
Paul Brummitt,
Chairman
Minister of Culture
UK Charter against Homophobia in
Sport
• http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/equalities/lgbt
/sports-charter/