Sam urges us to take part in sports homophobia survey
By Josh Haggis
Michael Sam has urged people to take part in a study to help determine whether international sport is doing enough to stamp out homophobia.
The ‘Out on the Fields’ survey was launched in the lead-up to the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, which took place earlier this year on May 17.
The survey aims to shed light on the prevalence of homophobia among athletes and sports fans, both in the UK and other countries like the United States and Australia.
Sportspeople including retired gay rugby player Gareth Thomas and rugby brothers Sam and Thomas Burgess have previously spoken out in support of the survey.
Now, Michael Sam – who came out earlier this year shortly before being picked to play for the St Louis Rams NFL team – has voiced his support for the survey, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Gay Games tomorrow (August 9).
“Please take this survey to fight homophobia in sport at outonthefield.com,” says Sam in the video, which also features the Burgess brothers and Australian soccer player Sarah Walsh. Watch it below:
[youtube height=”HEIGHT” width=”WIDTH”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lHrlajYuTk&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
Meanwhile, Michael Sam recently won an award for his bravery in coming out – read the full story, and watch his moving acceptance speech, here.
> Click here to take part in the ‘Out on the Fields’ survey (which only takes about 10 minutes).