The duality of sport as a safe space and a space for exclusion
The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation (IGLYO) 2025 report “From the Sidelines to the Playing Field” sheds light on the lived experiences of LGBTQI youth in school and community sports across Europe. The study highlights both the structural and cultural barriers that young people face, while providing good practices and opportunities for change.
The report showcases that “when inclusive participation is possible, sport can be profoundly beneficial. Beyond supporting identity exploration, it also contributes to mental health, confidence, physical care and broader forms of empowerment and reflection.”
Nevertheless, it also reveals that for many LGBTQI Youth, sport remains a place of exclusion, with rigid gender norms, lack of inclusive infrastructures, lack of inclusion policies, and structural inequalities keeping countless young people from participating freely.
The study, authored by Simon Carpentier draws on 27 in-depth interviews with LGBTIQ youth and nine stakeholder consultations, from which ENGSO Youth gladly took part together with our member organisation EGLSF (European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation)
The research examines the topic under three main themes:
1) Access and Participation
2) Safety and Exclusion
3) Visibility and Affirmation
Many of the report’s key findings link to ENGSO Youth initiatives and projects:
– Participation and representation in Sport are essential – Seeing LGBTQI athletes, coaches and peers visibly engaged in sport helps LGBTQI Youth imagine their own place within it. Yet representation remains limited and youth are usually not at the decision-making tables. ENGSO Youth position paper “Youth participation in sport organisations: quo vadis?” and our EUYOUSPORT project aim precisely at tackling this gap in the representation of young people in sport. We’re also proud to partner with IGLYO within the EUYOUSPORT European Youth & Sport Network, a network of youth and sport organisations interested and committed to working and developing youth participation in sport.
– Policy Gaps and Structural Invisibility – European and national sport frameworks frequently speak of “inclusion for all” but rarely mention LGBTQI youth specifically. Such omission renders their needs invisible and leaves trans and intersex young people without protection.
– Gender Norms and Stereotypes – Traditional gender norms and stereotypes in sport often dictate what’s “appropriate” and reinforce exclusion. LGBTQI youth often feel pressured to hide or alter their identities to fit in. Such stereotypes are further highlighted in ENGSO Youth “Embrace Every Body” Campaign and other studies.
– Geographical and Financial Inequalities – Inclusive clubs are concentrated in large cities, leaving rural LGBTQI youth isolated. High costs of equipment, travel, and fees, especially for trans and migrant youth, further limit participation. The need to improve sports infrastructure and mobility in rural areas is furthermore highlighted in ENGSO Youth Conclusions of the European Youth & Sport Platform 2023.
– Unsafe environment – Anti-gender movements and political backlash have created a climate where visibility can feel unsafe. This rising hostility particularly endangers trans youth and pressures community initiatives to retreat from public life.
– Reporting systems need improvement – Many LGBTQI youth do not report incidents because systems are inaccessible, mistrusted or poorly handled. Ensuring confidential, transparent and responsive mechanisms is crucial for building trust and tackling discrimination.
The report also identifies several examples of progress, some of which from ENGSO Youth member organisations:
– At the European level, the EuroGames provide one of the most visible platforms for LGBTQI athletes. Organised by the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), the latest edition (EuroGames Lyon 2025, held from 23 to 26 July) brought together around 5,000 athletes competing in 30 sports, alongside a rich cultural programme and community events. By combining competition with visibility, the EuroGames promote mixed-gender participation, have distinct categories for non-binary participants and allow athletes to self-identify their competition category;
– In France, the National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), together with the Ministry of Equality and the Ministry of Sports, has launched measures under the National Plan for Equality and the Fight Against Anti-LGBT+ Hatred and Discrimination (2023-2026);
– In Sweden, government dialogue with the Swedish Sports Confederation since 2018 has been embedded in the country’s broader Action Plan for Equal Rights and Opportunities for LGBTIQ People (2020-2023) and in the Confederation’s long-term Strategy 2025;
– In the Netherlands, the Dutch Olympic Committee & Sports Federation (NOC*NSF) published the Guidance on Gender and Sex Diverse Individuals (2021).
The publication finalises by putting forward a set of recommendations targeting policymakers, sport institutions, educational institutions and youth organisations. Have a deeper look into the full report here and find out more about its findings and recommendations.
ENGSO Youth highly welcomes the report “From the Sidelines to the Playing Field” and would like to express our gratitude to our friends from IGLYO for the invitation to contribute to such an important work. We remain committed to further developing our cooperation with IGLYO, making sure sport is a welcoming environment and safe space for all youth.