LGBTQ-related sports policies and the experiences of LGBTQ individuals in sports in France

Abstract

This chapter presents the current situation of LGBTQ-related diversity sports policies and the experiences of French LGBTQ athletes. We first contextualise this topic by presenting the specificities of the French sports system, along with the characteristics of the LGBTQ sports movement. Against this backdrop, quantitative and qualitative data about France from the Outsport study are presented. The quantitative results capture the experiences of LGBTQ athletes, while the qualitative data explore the policies, campaigns, and tools implemented at different levels for the inclusion of LGBTQ athletes. We depict two opposed stances taken by various federations and describe three major obstacles to the better inclusion of LGBTQ athletes identified by sports actors. Furthermore, we highlight the specific challenges faced by transgender athletes, a topic that is still neglected in both traditional and LGBTQ sports movements.