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Louisa Wall: Study finds homophobia still rampant in New Zealand sports

Published: Dec. 6, 2020, 8:37 p.m.

Sports organisers in New Zealand are being told they're not doing enough to stamp out homophobia.
An international study out of Monash University says nearly half of young gay men who play sports in New Zealand have been the target of bullying, assaults and slurs.
The study's lead author is calling the results "alarming", saying it shows not much has changed in team sports in more than five years.
Most of them aren't out either - an area New Zealand fared worst compared to Ireland, Canada, Australia, the US, and UK.
Louisa Wall, who is also a Labour MP and openly gay, told Mike Yardley it's disappointing things haven't improved since a study in 2016.
"At the time, we had a number of organisations come out and sign a document committing to greater diversity and inclusion in sport."
Rugby, netball, cricket and the Olympic Committee were amongst those organisations that signed up. 
She says it's known being closeted can be unhealthy.
"What's the matter with being a lesbian or a gay or bisexual? Heterosexuals never have to go through this dilemma of 'oh, do I need come out as heterosexual?'"