The interplay between reproducing stigma and building agency for social change in sports coaching: the lived experiences of lesbian coaches in Spain.

Abstract

While there are only a few studies analysing the experiences of lesbian coaches in sport worldwide, there is a lack of social scientific knowledge about the experiences of lesbian coaches in Spain. This paper explores a novel conceptual framework that combines stigma and agency to analyse the experiences of lesbian coaches, and the extent to which they reproduce stigma and/or build agency to challenge the status quo and foster social change. Drawing on sixteen semi-structured interviews with lesbian coaches in Spain, four central themes were identified. These are (1) double discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation, (2) feelings of fear, (3) dealing with stigma, and (4) agentic responses and the potential for positive social change. The research highlights a continuum of experiences of lesbian coaches that are multifaceted and complex in nature, and often coexist between the reproduction of stigma and/or transformation through agency. Our research provides new insights into the nature and prevalence of discrimination regarding sexual orientation that aims to help sport organizations develop specific strategies and programmes to foster inclusivity.