OutSport Toronto SportZone Tackles Pride Paradox: Scores!
Posted Tue, 12 Jul 2011, 4:55pm
What is the Pride Paradox? Pride is a spectacle. It’s a passive affair with performers and a large audience. By its nature it creates a barrier that divides the community and discourages participation. Sport, on the other hand, is inherently active. It demands participation. It encourages play.
Sport faces additional barriers to LGBT participation that shadows the pride paradox. Many of us have been excluded from participation in sport through the bullying we experienced or the messages we received growing up. How could we possibly join the team of jocks that were the same people pushing us into lockers? “Besides” they might have said, “you can’t play… you’re queer. Do you see any queer insert-your-favourite-professional-sport- here players?” Read more...