"A place to be ourselves" : a qualitative exploration of identity, community, and safety for LGBTIQ+ amateur athletes at European sport events

Abstract

Mainstream sport environments are often characterized by pervasive heteronormativity and cisnormativity, creating barriers for LGBTIQ+ individuals (Gil-Quintana et al., 2022; Lahti et al., 2024; Pride Sports, 2016; Outsport, 2020). Major LGBTIQ+ sport events like the Eurogames and Gay Games function as crucial "alternative spaces" designed to be inclusive (Smiler et al., 2021). However, there is a research gap concerning the in-depth, lived experiences and identity management of the diverse amateur athletes who attend (European Travel Commission, 2018; Kauhanen, 2015; Smiler et al., 2021). This study addresses this gap through a qualitative exploration of these athletes' tourism experiences. Adopting an interpretivist paradigm, this research aims to explore the lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ amateur athletes, focusing on perceptions of safety, inclusivity, and community formation (cf. Smiler et al., 2021). It also seeks to analyze how participation influences their "identity work" and self-expression (Lahti et al., 2024; Smiler et al., 2021). The methodology involves semi- structured interviews conducted with a purposive sample of athletes from various European countries , ensuring representation across the LGBTIQ+ spectrum, a group often under- represented in research (European Travel Commission, 2018; Gil-Quintana et al., 2022). Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis and narrative analysis (Lahti et al., 2024) to understand how athletes construct their identities and experiences in this unique context. This study will provide rich, nuanced insights into the transformative potential of these events, highlighting their role in fostering community and enabling authentic self-expression (Smiler et al., 2021). Findings will inform actionable recommendations for event organizers and tourism stakeholders to improve inclusivity , moving beyond tokenism to create genuinely affirming environments (cf. Molinie, n.d.; Gil-Quintana et al., 2022).