PROFESSIONALLY “OUT” LESBIAN, GAY, AND BISEXUAL COLLEGE COACHES: THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEXUAL IDENTITY IN RELATION TO COACHING

Abstract

Within the historically heterosexist and homophobic context of sport, intercollegiate athletics coaches who professionally disclose their lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identities often experience negative repercussions. However, growing research suggests that being open about one’s sexual identity is integral to developing and maintaining psychological wellbeing, social cohesion, and individual efficacy. This qualitative study was guided by two research questions: 1. How do professionally “out” LGB head college coaches construct their professional identities? 2. How do the professional identities of LGB head college coaches influence their coaching roles? Six professionally disclosed, LGB intercollegiate athletics head coaches participated in the study. Data analysis yielded several significant findings. First, the intersectionality of identity was a principal factor in how the participants constructed their LGB identities at work. They also construct their identities through visibility and a continuum of sexual identity management strategies. Secondly, participants regarded institutional culture and climate as the most influential social structure on their identities. Third, the participants felt their identities have the greatest influence on fostering team culture and safe spaces, and being a role model and mentor to student-athletes. Lastly, the participants regard their identities as more likely to hinder than help their career ambitions. The study asserted several consequential implications for LGB coaches, higher education and athletics department administrators, and researchers to advance the understanding and scholarship about an understudied phenomenon.