Profiles of LGBTQ ally engagement in college athletics

Heterosexism and cis-sexism are still pervasive in the sports context despite growing national acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) identities in the U.S. This study used a person-centered approach to identify unobserved profiles of 159 college student athletes' LGBTQ ally identity salience and LGBTQ ally engagement (i.e., Standing Up and Showing Up). Analyses revealed three profiles: Not LGBTQ Allies, Engaged but not Visible LGBTQ Allies, and Highly Engaged and Visible LGBTQ Allies. Cisgender men were overrepresented in the Not LGBTQ Allies profile. Athletes were more likely to be members of the Engaged but not Visible profile when they perceived that their coach held more supportive attitudes about LGBTQ people. Further, athletes were more likely to be members of the Highly Engaged and Visible profile when they endorsed stronger social justice beliefs. Implications for future research and interventions focused on coaches and LGBTQ ally trainings are discussed.