LGBT-CC-BY-GalitOn 31 May 2016 in a hearing before the Knesset Sub-Committee for Sport, ACRI called on the Committee members to eliminate homophobia on sports fields and to ensure the safety of gay athletes and fans through legislation, education and public outreach. The hearing was initiated by the Israel LGBT sport club following the decision of former national basketball league player, Gili Mosinzon, to come out as bisexual a few weeks ago. Mosinzon attended the hearing and told his story.
In a position paper sent to the Chairman of the Committee and its members, ACRI Attorney Gil Gan-Mor explained that homophobia and violence towards the LGBT community in the sporting arena is now an all too common phenomenon. There isn’t an athlete or sports fan, who has attended football or basketball games, and has not heard severe homophobic remarks. Many of the community members themselves are excluding themselves from participating in team sports or sporting events, and players who still participate usually hide their sexual orientation.
ACRI called on the Committee to demand that the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Ministry of Education jointly formulate a coherent action plan to combat homophobia in sport. In the position paper ACRI proposes to amend Section 15 of the Prohibition of Violence in Sports Law 2008, so that the term “racist statement” shall also include a statement that constitutes a threat, humiliation or violence against persons or parts of the population with respect to sexual orientation or gender identity. ACRI pointed out that the regulations of the International Football Association FIFA, also prohibits discrimination against a group or individual on the basis of sexual orientation.
It is also proposed that the government produce public campaigns to raise awareness of the problem and to strengthen the value of equality and acceptance of LGBT athletes and sports fans. Training frameworks for physical education teachers, coaches and trainers should include content that focuses on tolerance of ‘the other’ and of the LGBT community in particular. It is also proposed that the Ministry of Sport should support sport groups from the LGBT community and remove barriers that prevent them from receiving subsidies, for example – the obligation to establish a group for youth, where in reality LGBT teens may be hesitant to identify themselves as players in a gay sports club.
Attorney Gil Gan-Mor stated “The authorities have the ability to make a significant change to eradicate violence and homophobia in sport, and they have a responsibility to do so. We expect the government to use all means at its disposal, including legislative changes, training and publications to ensure the safety of athletes and fans from the LGBT community.”
Please click here to read the position paper submitted to the Committee (in Hebrew).
