Acceptance of gay team-mates at sports clubs falls to 66%
A Mulier Instituut survey finds fewer Dutch club athletes accept gay team-mates than in 2008, even as more athletes say their club pays attention to the issue.
Acceptance of homosexuality at sports clubs has fallen in recent years, a survey by the Mulier Instituut, a sports research institute, shows. In 2008, 85% of athletes had no problem at all with a gay club mate. Now 66% say so.
Agreement with the statement "It doesn't matter to me to shower with a gay athlete of the same sex" dropped from 73% to 55%. In 2008, about 75 to 80% thought coming out was not a problem. Now the figure is 55 to 59%.
Attention to the subject is growing. The share of club athletes who say their club pays attention to gay acceptance rose from 12% in 2017 to 28% in 2026.
Last month, research by Utrecht University and the Trimbos Institute found that Dutch young people have become more negative about homosexuality. The Mulier Instituut says sports clubs show "the same societal trend".
Sports body NOC*NSF called the results "particularly regrettable" and said it wants to work "with even more energy" towards an inclusive sports world.
Last month, state secretary Tielen (Education, Culture and Science) promised new subsidy for gender and LGBTI+ equality. The new scheme will run for at least five years. The previous one was due to stop in 2027.
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Mulier Instituut
The Mulier Institute is a Dutch research institute that studies sport and physical activity in the Netherlands, including who takes part in sport and how sports clubs function. It publishes surveys and reports on these topics, which are used by sports organisations, local authorities and policymakers.
NOC*NSF (Nederlands Olympisch Comité*Nederlandse Sport Federatie)
NOC*NSF is the umbrella organisation for organised sport in the Netherlands, representing the Dutch Olympic Committee and the national sports federations. It prepares and supports Dutch athletes for the Olympic Games and works on sport policy and the development of sport across the country, including inclusion in clubs.