In Australia, sport is more than just a game—it is a cultural cornerstone that unites communities, builds friendships and fosters belonging. 

Yet for athletes who identify as LGBTQIA+, sporting environments can feel exclusionary rather than inclusive. 

Experiences of discrimination and fear of judgement remain powerful barriers to participation. 

While social attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ people have shifted in recent decades, sport has not kept pace.

Participation rates remain significantly lower among LGBTQIA+ athletes compared with non-LGBTQIA+ peers. 

Research shows that only 15 per cent of LGBTQIA+ athletes feel comfortable being open about their identity and nearly three-quarters believe that team sports harbour more homophobia than wider society. 

Alarmingly, 62 per cent report experiencing it directly in sport (Denison & Kitchen 2015). These challenges often begin early. 

One in three LGBTQIA+ athletes report homophobic bullying during physical education classes (Symons et al 2010). 

More than half of LGBTQIA+ male athletes and over one-third of female athletes recall feeling unwelcome in youth sport (Denison & Kitchen 2015). 

For many, this exclusion shapes their relationship with sport for life. High-profile cases of homophobic slurs in professional competitions, particularly the AFL, reinforce these concerns. 

When discrimination is visible at the elite level, it signals to grassroots athletes that exclusion is tolerated. 

Unsurprisingly, many LGBTQIA+ athletes remain guarded about expressing their true selves in sporting spaces. 

For physiotherapists, this reality presents both a challenge and an opportunity. 

Physiotherapists have a unique relationship of trust with athletes, supporting their overall wellbeing as well as their physical health. 

The clinical environment—whether a treatment room, a gym or a sideline tent—can be a vulnerable space. It can also be a safe one. 

The difference often lies in the language we use. Inclusive language is more than courtesy; it is a signal of respect and safety. 

It starts with avoiding assumptions about gender, sexuality or identity. 

Using gender-neutral terms like ‘partner’ instead of assuming a relationship structure—or asking for pronouns and using them consistently—demonstrates respect. 

These actions may feel small but for LGBTQIA+ athletes they provide powerful validation. 

Respectful language creates an atmosphere of trust, which is essential for effective healthcare and performance support. 

Suncorp Super Netball player turned AFLW athlete and member of the LGBTQIA+ community Olivia Lewis said, ‘When my physio and support staff are inclusive in their language, it builds trust. I know I can be open and honest, which makes me a better athlete and a healthier person.’ 

Inclusive communication also benefits teams and organisations. 

Athletes who feel safe are more likely to be open and engaged, leading to better adherence to treatment and stronger relationships with healthcare providers. 

Inclusive environments reduce stigma, strengthen team cohesion and send a clear message that diversity is valued. In this sense, physiotherapists are not only treating injuries but also shaping healthier, more equitable sporting cultures. 

Kate Moloney, captain of the Melbourne Vixens, 2025 Suncorp Super Netball Premiers, stated, ‘At the Vixens, we want everyone to feel safe, respected and able to be themselves. Our athletes and support staff play a huge role in creating that environment and when people feel they belong, the whole team thrives, both on and off the court.’ 

For those new to inclusive practice, the journey can feel daunting. 

Mistakes will happen but what matters is how we respond. A simple apology and correction communicate sincerity and respect. 

Far from undermining professionalism, this humility builds credibility. 

Upskilling is also important. 

In addition to formal learning, listening to the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ athletes and colleagues offers invaluable insight. 

Asking respectful questions, welcoming feedback and showing a willingness to learn all contribute to meaningful progress. The benefits of inclusion reach far beyond individual athletes. 

When LGBTQIA+ athletes feel welcome, they are more likely to thrive—physically, mentally and socially.

Sport becomes a unifying force, where participation is open to all and diversity is celebrated rather than silenced. 

Inclusive sporting environments also challenge harmful stereotypes and provide role models for younger generations, showing that authenticity and belonging can coexist in competitive sport. Physiotherapists are well placed to contribute to this cultural shift. 

By using inclusive language and fostering safe clinical spaces, we can support LGBTQIA+ athletes in ways that transcend physical care. 

Every interaction—the words we choose, the assumptions we challenge, the respect we show—has the power to build trust and shape sporting culture for the better. 

Through mindfulness, education and empathy, physiotherapists can play a pivotal role in making Australian sport truly inclusive. 

Sport should not be a place of exclusion or fear but a space where every athlete feels welcome, respected and free to be their authentic self. 

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Andrew Cameron MACP

Andrew Cameron MACP (he/him) is a physiotherapist at the Victorian Institute of Sport and an APA Titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist.