Since 1988, International Coming Out Day has been observed every year on October 11th. The aim is to highlight how immensely important a personal coming out is and what a profound and consequential turning point it can be in each individual's life. The day of action also seeks to promote a social climate where LGBTIQ people can live openly and be themselves in all areas of life. Many still experience how challenging this can be in their very personal everyday lives. Whether at school, at work, within the family, among friends, in public spaces, or in sports clubs: situations can arise almost anywhere that may lead to forms of discrimination. After handball professional Lucas Krzikalla recently came out publicly about his homosexuality, sparking renewed media discussions about openness and discrimination in sports, the LSU wants to use this year's Coming Out Day especially to draw attention to tolerance and acceptance in sports.
Alexander Vogt, Federal Chairman of the LSU - © LSU Federal Association
Alexander Vogt, Federal Chairman of the LSU, explains: "Intolerance, prejudice, and denigration exist in sports just as they do in society – despite the values upheld in sports, such as fairness, equality, and community. There are no differences between professional and amateur sports in this regard. What is especially important is the connection between civil society and sports. We need to strengthen voluntary commitment so that the wide diversity of our society is reflected and represented in clubs. This also applies to representation in leadership and official circles of clubs, associations, and organizations." In September, the Sports Committee of the German Bundestag also dealt with strategies against discrimination and for equality in sports during a hearing, identifying a great need for action. Leipzig sports sociologist Prof. Dr. Petra Tzschoppe pointed out that there is a lack of comprehensive systematic surveys that provide an overview of the dimension of the problem. Isolated data from isolated areas offer clues but do not provide a complete picture. Tzschoppe’s areas of focus include "sport and gender" as well as "misanthropic attitudes and discrimination in organized sports." At the hearing, she emphasized that it is initially important to develop sensitivity to – sometimes unconscious – social prejudices and their consequences in order to counteract discrimination. Furthermore, the educational potential of sports should be utilized to promote knowledge and competence in combating discrimination. Conscious action by sports clubs is required to strengthen a culture of recognition, participation, and social and cultural openness. Therefore, the LSU demands the implementation of representative cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to improve knowledge about the extent and influencing factors of discrimination. In addition, the LSU sees the implementation of holistic strategies and concepts to promote diversity and equality in sports as an urgent sports policy task.
Thomas W. Schmitt Deputy Federal Chairman LSU - © LSU Federal Association
Thomas W. Schmitt, Deputy Federal Chairman of the LSU, emphasizes in conclusion: "Sports clubs also have many opportunities to take action and can make a difference even with limited financial and personnel resources. In their public appearance, for example on websites and in communication forums, in their fundamental documents – such as statutes and mission statements – but also in house and stadium regulations, they can clearly demonstrate that they tolerate no discrimination or exclusion. Discriminatory incidents can and should be identified and addressed, rather than ignored or downplayed, and through committed club work, children and young people can be shown and taught how important respect, tolerance, recognition, and the dignity of every person are."
