Scale of homophobic language in rugby revealed as 69% of male players admit to hearing teammates using slurs in past two weeks Survey by Harlequins finds nearly a half admit to using discriminatory language with most saying they are used to get laughs from others

Homophobic slurs have been found to be commonplace in men’s rugby union after research discovered that two in five players admitted to using discriminatory language in the past two weeks.

The study was conducted by Premiership rugby club Harlequins in partnership with the Harlequins Foundation and experts from Australia’s Monash University. In total, 275 male and female players, aged between 16 and 42, were surveyed prior to training sessions at eight randomly selected clubs in the south of England in January and February this year.

The research found that 69 per cent of male rugby players had heard their team-mates using homophobic slurs in “the past two weeks”, while 42 per cent admitted to using such language themselves in the same time period.

At the same time, 67 per cent said they have at least one close gay friend and 69 per cent said they wanted the language to stop.

Erik Denison, one of the researchers leading studies on this issue at the Faculty of Education at Australia’s Monash University, said: “It is surprising to see a near-total disconnect between the homophobic language being used by rugby players, and their attitudes to gay people.

“Most rugby players say they use the homophobic language to get a laugh out of others, or fit in on their team, and it seems they don’t realise how harmful this language is to gay people, or to the team culture generally.”

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Harlequins released the results of the survey ahead of their inaugural LGBTQ+ Pride themed fixture on Saturday against London Irish. Quins say they will make the impact of language a focus of the fixture at the weekend.

The survey will be used to develop evidence-based programmes that will aim to stop the use of slurs and derogatory jokes about gay and bisexual people in all sports. Harlequins say they will also continue to work with Monash University to develop programmes that can be delivered in the 2020-21 season.

An international study found in 2014 that there is a significantly higher drop-out rate in sport among LGB youth than there is among heterosexual youth, and surveys have found that 70 per cent of British gay males and 73 per cent of British lesbians are completely or partially closeted to team-mates. The 2014 study recommended primary solutions such as offering to be allies to gay team-mates, coaches making clear that LGBTQ athletes are welcome, and ceasing Homophobic humour and slurs in play environments.

Robbie de Santos, Director of Sport at Stonewall, said: “As this research shows, anti-LGBT attitudes and language continue to be an issue across sport. Whether that’s on the pitch, in the terraces or on social media, anti-LGBT language has a big impact, and can be a barrier to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people participating in sport.

“Steps like Harlequins’ Pride Game send an important message about LGBT inclusion, but it’s vital that governing bodies, leagues, clubs and others in sport invest in training and support to make sure that inclusion has an impact at all levels.”