Sex, lies and the locker room: A critical discourse analysis of athletes coming out in the media

Oppression and hostility is still evident towards LGBT athletes within modern sport organizations, where hegemonic masculinities contribute to the opposition to LGBT members of the athletic community. Given the homophobia that continues to impact sport, the aim of this study is to ascertain, through the lens of grounded theory, what discourses are used to address the coming out of professional athletes in online news sites and the hegemonic power that is reflected through that discourse. Through the analysis, four themes emerged as significant. One particular theme stood out as the most substantial: the locker room seen as a space where masculinity is negotiated, suggesting the possibility that many masculinities exist within that milieu. The study’s findings highlight the urgency that is needed in order to make sport a safe and non-hostile space for all athletes.