From the via Crucis to paradise. The experiences of women football players in Spain surrounding gender and homosexuality

Abstract

The number of women in football has considerably grown in Spain, which in addition to increasing its media and social visibility is also attracting academic interest. In this regard, the objective of this article is to understand and interpret the experiences of 15 elite female football players regarding their gender and sexual orientation. The semi-structured interviews followed a pattern already used in other related research and dealt with topics such as the stereotypes that accompany women who play football, family reluctance, coexistence in locker rooms, lesbians coming out of the closet, or the need for more and better reference models. The data point to a clear homosociability within the teams and the benefits of supporting one and other when coming out of the closet, offering a counterpoint to family attitudes mostly characterized by rejection or stigmas that mark women as ‘tomboys.’ The conclusions highlight, on the one hand, the discrimination that the female players experience for being women who practice a traditionally masculine sport, and how homonegativity contributes to the control of women and the gendered nature of sport, and on the other hand, the open and inclusive climate that lesbian players have found in the football environment.

Enclaved non-heteronormativity and pragmatic acceptance. The experiences of Polish female football players

“…Furthermore, in congruence with other studies (Griffin, 1992;Krane and Barber, 2005;Martos-Garcia et al, 2023;Soler-Prat et al, 2022: 171-172;Stoelting, 2011), our findings show that the respondents were managing their identities and sexual orientation during their careers. This can be seen from the fact that only half of them decided to share the information about their sexual orientation with the researchers conducting the study.…”

“…As we presented, the team is an enclave for female athletes, and therefore, it has been relatively easy to disclose their orientation within the team. Although some previous research suggests that the team environment can be unsafe and potentially damaging for female athletes (Krane and Barber, 2005), our study confirms the findings by Martos-Garcia et al (2023), Stoelting (2011), Elling and Janssens (2009), Ribalta andPujadas (2020), andBredemeier et al (1999), indicating that teammates can provide a welcoming and accepting environment. As in the studies by Martos-Garcia et al (2023), Ribalta and Pujadas (2020), or Elling and Janssens (2009), our study indicates that the team creates space for the normalisation of homosexuality and gives female football players a sense of security.…”

“…The existence of such enclaves in sport was confirmed by a study conducted by Stoelting (2011): the interviewed players assumed that a large number of lesbians in college sports teams would contribute to the functioning of 'safe zones', which allowed them to disclose their sexual orientation without fear of being rejected. Similarly, the results of a recent study by Martos-Garcia et al (2023) also indicate that female football players see their team as an 'oasis', a safe place where they are respected.…”

“…Several studies have emphasised the operating of heteronormativity discourses in women's sport (Caudwell, 2011;Eng, 2008;Kauer and Krane, 2006;Krane, 2001;Martos-Garcia et al, 2023;Norman, 2012Norman, , 2013Pronger, 1990). As analysed, the stereotypical belief that sport is inherently masculine led to the perception of female athletes, especially in team sports, as homosexual.…”

“…Studies by Ribalta and Pujadas (2020), Stoelting (2011), and Elling and Janssens (2009) also point to the fact that sport can be a safe zone for female athletes, where they can remain themselves, feel safe and create supportive networks. The findings of a study of Spanish female football players conducted by Martos-Garcia et al (2023) indicate that the team becomes an ‘oasis’ where they receive respect, unlike outside the team. Other studies (Davis-Delano, 2014; Mennesson and Clément, 2003) have highlighted the existence of homosociability within the club, a phenomenon that facilitates homosexual practices.…”