What should coaches do about players who are uncomfortable with lesbians or gay men in the locker room?
When players express concerns of this kind, they are usually based on stereotypes that depict lesbians and gay men as sexual predators. When players react out of unfounded fear based on stereotypes, coaches have an opportunity to work with these athletes to help them overcome their fear. In actuality, lesbians and gay men in the locker room are focused on the same things that their heterosexual teammates are: the upcoming game, how or how much they will play, a paper due for a tough class, caring for an injury, or laughing and talking with teammates. Everyone’s privacy should be respected in the locker room and no athlete should engage in any activity that invades the privacy of another regardless of sexual orientation. If anyone in the locker room engages in this kind of activity, this behavior should be addressed without regard to sexual orientation.
