CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER ORIENTATION IN THE ATHLETES’ IDENTITY IN PROFESSIONALS VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS: THE PERCEPTION OF GAY ATHLETES

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe, interpret and analyze the perception of homosexual athletes in Volleyball with respect to discrimination and prejudice suffered in this sport environment regarding their sexual identity. The participants were four gays professionals male athletes of volleyball in southeastern Brazil. Participants responded to a semi-structured interview that the data were analyzed through speech analysis. They believe that the volleyball tolerates homosexuals’ athletes, provided they retain their supposedly appropriate gender orientation and reported some cases os prejudice, between fans, coaches and other homosexual athletes. As a limitation to this study was observed the resistance of gay athletes to discuss on the topic. It was concluded that the discreet homosexual orientation is more tolerable than a feminine gender orientation in terms of athletic identity in this sport environment. It was seem through speak athletes that a cross gender orientation does that technicals and tacticals skills were discording.