| Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) collegiate athletes have historically faced discrimination and homophobia. Since 2011, LGBTQ student-athletes report affirming experiences after coming out as a new generation of accepting students enter college. Despite this progress, many LGBTQ athletes remain in the closet, due in part to the lack of enforcement of policy and best practice recommendations set forth by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for inclusion of LGBTQ student-athletes. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to understand how former student-athletes describe LGBTQ athlete inclusion on NCAA sport teams in comparison to NCAA best practice and policy recommendations, and how inclusion develops informally in the absence of formally adopted inclusion policies. Implementation of the policy and best practice recommendations varied. Inclusive teammates were differentiated from non-inclusive teammates based on their upbringing and religious beliefs, comfort level, and level of exposure to LGBTQ individuals. Participants described supportive teammates, equitable treatment, and LGBTQ and straight ally leaders as contributors to the development of inclusion. Inclusion developed in spite of the presence of homonegative language. This research contributes to scholarship and practice an understanding of how inclusion develops on the sport team level. An understanding of how inclusion develops on NCAA sport teams can contribute to more proactive inclusion initiatives. |
