The acceptance of being gay is more accepted in teenagers than ever before. Earlier in the year, Trend Hunter published an article about gay teens coming out earlier than ever. Now, research is showing the same trend among high school and college athletes.
According to the LA Times, "an emerging generation of openly gay and lesbian athletes on high school and college campuses across the country... are quietly venturing where no pro football or baseball star has gone, challenging the conformist, if not downright homophobic, tradition of the playing fields. Their numbers are difficult to gauge because many confide only in peers. Experts chart the trend anecdotally through athletes who join gay rights clubs at school, e-mail gay rights advocates for advice or announce their sexual orientation on websites such as Facebook and MySpace."
Gay Athletes
High School and College Athletes Coming Out Sooner Than Ever
Trend Themes
1. Increased Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth - Opportunities for creating inclusive spaces and support systems for LGBTQ+ youth are on the rise.
2. Breaking Stereotypes in Sports - Disruptive innovation can occur by challenging traditional norms and creating a more inclusive environment in sports.
3. Exploring LGBTQ+ Representation in Athletics - There is growing interest in promoting diverse representation of LGBTQ+ athletes across high school and college sports.
Industry Implications
1. Education - Education institutions can contribute by implementing policies that support and protect LGBTQ+ students.
2. Sports - The sports industry has the opportunity to embrace diversity and promote inclusion by providing resources and support systems for LGBTQ+ athletes.
3. Digital Platforms - Digital platforms can facilitate safe spaces and opportunities for LGBTQ+ athletes to connect, share stories, and seek support.