Exploring the Gender Differences in Sport Homophobia among Turkish Sport Sciences Students

This study aimed to explore views towards homosexual athletes among 298 male and 173 female sport sciences in Turkey. Students' views were assessed in relation to their gender using a Homophobia in Sports Scale. The results showed that male and female students' views towards gay male athletes were significantly different, but that attitudes towards lesbian athletes were not. Also, no difference was found between male and female students' overall views on the level of acceptance of homosexual athletes in various sports. Male and female students' level of acceptance toward homosexual athletes was lowest for wrestling, boxing, weight lifting, and football; students' level of acceptance was highest in figure skating, gymnastics, and golf. Similarly, no difference was found between male and female students' use of positive and negative labels to describe a popular homosexual athlete.