Sexual Orientation & Sport

Question 1

1. More visible LGTB athletes
2. Gay Games
3. Public Support from pro Sport

Answer 1

1. David Kopay: first professional team sports player to come out, Jerry Smith, Glenn Burke, Dr Tom Waddell
2. Dr Tom Waddell - driven social and ideological change with respect to social structure and sexuality
3. You can play - eradicating homophobia in NHL

Question 2

Homophobia

Answer 2

irrational fear or intolerance of LGTB population

• not inherent
• Personal/psychological reactions based on cultural beliefs and practices that support and reinforce them

Question 3

• A) Even though long acknowledged as “fake”, why is it important to look critically at professional wrestling?

Answer 3

Because it affects society as a whole
Tells stories about what it means to be a real man
Backyard wrestling

Question 4

• B) Wrestling is better compared to what sort of entertainment genre?

Answer 4

Soap Opera for guys

Question 5

2) What is happy violence, and what are some possible effects of this portrayal of violence?

Answer 5

Cartoons for adults- violence has no lasting effect
Real life consequences of violence are pushed out of view
*Kids can’t see behind the illusion
*Perpetuates the idea that violence has no consequences
Escalating violence versus happy violence

Question 6

3) How are (hegemonic) masculinity and femininity in professional wrestling socially constructed?

Answer 6

All the violence we see is connected to manhood
Physical strength, not back away from confrontation- a way to be a man
Physical violence solves all problems
The weakest is picked out to be publically humiliated
A real man is a bully- someone who scares and intimidates people

Question 7

4)Given the homo-erotic undercurrents of professional wrestling, how do the wrestlers “prove” their heterosexuality?

Answer 7

Use insults to distance themselves – BITCH
Transfer homosexuality onto specific characters – Chuck & Billy demonstrate the straight sexuality of the other wrestlers
Shows his masculinity through domination & intimidation. Then he dominates his wife
Women are hyper sexualized- HOT
Pornography has become mainstream
Some women are able to compete with men – strong independent women. China had to become softer and vulnerable
Power is connected to being sought after by women. Women are seen as sexual playthings

Question 8

5)How does wrestling “treat” domestic violence and sexual assault?

Answer 8

Men hitting women. Contributes to an atmosphere where women are abused. Stripped of agency and power. Women are there for the pleasure of women. Violence is presented as deserved. Normalizes, justifies and rationalizes this behaviour

*Sense of humour is used to justify their actions