LGBTIQ+ Sport Observatory
European Observatory on LGBTIQ+ Hate Speech in Sports
Hate speech targeting LGBTIQ+ people remains one of the most pervasive and damaging forms of discrimination in sport. It silences athletes, drives people away from participation, and normalises a culture where exclusion and verbal violence are tolerated.
EOLHSS is a 36-month Erasmus+ Sport project led by the EGLSF together with universities, sport organisations, and human rights actors across Europe.
Our goal is simple and ambitious: to understand, prevent, and combat LGBTIQ+ hate speech in sport — and build the foundations for a lasting European Observatory.
Why This Matters?
LGBTIQ+ athletes continue to face hate speech online, on the field, in the locker room, and across sport structures. Yet sport organisations often lack:
- the data to understand the scale of the problem,
- the tools to respond effectively, and
- the confidence to take action.
EOLHSS addresses this gap by combining research, awareness-raising, and practical interventions designed with and for sport actors.
Objectives
Overall Objective
To raise awareness of LGBTIQ+ hate speech in sport, address its underlying causes, and support the creation of safer, more inclusive grassroots sport cultures across Europe.
Specific Objectives
- Gather fresh, robust data on LGBTIQ+ hate speech in sport
- Raise public and institutional awareness about its impact
- Develop practical tools, standards, and remedies for sport organisers
- Empower LGBTIQ+ athletes and amplify their stories
- Lay the groundwork for a long-term European Observatory on LGBTIQ+ Hate Speech in Sports
Target Groups
- Sport organisers seeking to prevent discrimination
- LGBTIQ+ athletes and sport participants who face hate speech
- Grassroots sport structures committed to inclusive practice
Activities
The project is structured in five main Work Packages:
WP1 – Project Management
Coordination, financial management, communication tools, visual identity, language guidance, steering group, and sustainability planning.
WP2 – Data Collection & Analysis
Literature review, development of monitoring strategies, active monitoring of hate speech, data analysis, and public presentation of findings.
WP3 – Awareness Raising
Collecting personal stories, designing and executing a digital campaign, and amplifying the voices of LGBTIQ+ athletes affected by hate speech.
WP4 – Development of Interventions
Creation of standards, a self-evaluation tool, and an online training course; testing and refinement; mapping remedy pathways; and assessing impact.
WP5 – Dissemination & Accountability
Communication strategy, two European roundtables, a dissemination campaign, and a final conference to mobilise stakeholders and scale action.
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More Info here:
https://www.eglsf.info/project-lgbtiq-sport-observatory
