Difference between revisions of "LGBTQ Sports Referees and Umpires"

From QueerBio.com
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(18 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 5: Line 5:
 
A recent 2015 NBC/USA poll shows that 25% of sports fans surveyed believed an openly-gay athlete on a team harms the team and the entire sport (see story link below).  Though not surveyed, you can imagine this number would be greater if the question referred to the sexual orientation of the referee or umpire in the sport.  In all, 90% of respondents believe professional sports, in general, is intolerant of LGBTQ inclusion and participation, regardless of the sport.  Hence the inclination for all who participate in professional sports to remain in the closet.
 
A recent 2015 NBC/USA poll shows that 25% of sports fans surveyed believed an openly-gay athlete on a team harms the team and the entire sport (see story link below).  Though not surveyed, you can imagine this number would be greater if the question referred to the sexual orientation of the referee or umpire in the sport.  In all, 90% of respondents believe professional sports, in general, is intolerant of LGBTQ inclusion and participation, regardless of the sport.  Hence the inclination for all who participate in professional sports to remain in the closet.
  
Nevertheless, many LGBTQ professionals have achieved great recognition during their careers and there are several high-profile LGBTQ referees and umpires in professional sports today.  Did you know that the first woman to be appointed as a fully-accredited referee in the National Basketball Association, [[Violet Palmer]], is also a lesbian?  As well, Major League Baseball's umpire [[Dale Scott]] has worked in three World Series games and three All Star games.  In 2015, the U.S. Tennis Association appointed its first out gay Chief Umpire for the U.S. Tennis Open, [[Bruce Littrell]].  Major League Soccer's referee [[Matthew Nelson]] was a member of the 2016 MLS All Star officiating team.  The notable transgender individual on the list is volleyball referee [[Stephanie Shostak]].  Great Britain's [[Ryan Atkin]] is considered the first out gay referee in professional football/soccer.
+
Nevertheless, many LGBTQ professionals have achieved great recognition during their careers and there are several high-profile LGBTQ referees and umpires in professional sports today.  Did you know that the first woman to be appointed as a fully-accredited referee in the National Basketball Association, [[Violet Palmer]], is also a lesbian?  As well, Major League Baseball's umpire [[Dale Scott]] has worked in three World Series games and three All Star games.  In 2015, the U.S. Tennis Association appointed its first out gay Chief Umpire for the U.S. Tennis Open, [[Bruce Littrell]].  Major League Soccer's referee [[Matthew Nelson]] was a member of the 2016 MLS All Star officiating team.  The notable transgender individuals on the list are volleyball referee [[Stephanie Shostak]] and the world's first transgender football referee [[Lucy Clark]].  Great Britain's [[Ryan Atkin]] is considered the first out gay referee in professional football/soccer. American [[Bryan Hicks]] was appointed the Director of Officiating in ice hockey at ECAC afer being the youngest tennis umpire in history at Wimbledon. 
  
 
No doubt, there are many LGBTQ referees and umpires acting in minor league and amateur sports also.  The group of LGBTQ professionals identified below serve as role models for them and others considering officiating as a career path.
 
No doubt, there are many LGBTQ referees and umpires acting in minor league and amateur sports also.  The group of LGBTQ professionals identified below serve as role models for them and others considering officiating as a career path.
Line 11: Line 11:
 
We have identified the following professional LGBTQ sports referees and umpires, hailing from the Netherlands, Canada, Great Britain, Spain, and the United States:
 
We have identified the following professional LGBTQ sports referees and umpires, hailing from the Netherlands, Canada, Great Britain, Spain, and the United States:
  
* [[Ryan Atkin]], Great Britain
+
'''Brazil'''
* [[Andrea Barone]], Canada
+
 
* [[John Blankenstein]], The Netherlands
+
* [[Igor Benevenuto]]
* [[Pascal Erlachner]], Switzerland
+
 
* [[Kimberly Hadley]], Canada
+
'''Canada'''
* [[Bruce Littrell]], United States
+
 
* [[Matthew Nelson]], United States
+
* [[Andrea Barone]]
* [[Nigel Owens]], Great Britain
+
* [[Kimberly Hadley]]
* [[Dave Pallone]], United States
+
* [[Stephanie Shostak]]
* [[Violet Palmer]], United States
+
 
* [[Dale Scott]], United States
+
'''Great Britain'''
* [[Stephanie Shostak]], Canada
+
 
* [[Steve Strimling]], United States
+
* [[Ryan Atkin]]
* [[Jesus Tomillero]], Spain
+
* [[Lucy Clark]]
 +
* [[Craig Maxwell-Keys]]
 +
* [[Nigel Owens]]
 +
 
 +
'''Israel'''
 +
 
 +
* [[Sapir Berman]]
 +
 
 +
'''Norway'''
 +
 
 +
* [[Tom Harald Hagen]]
 +
 
 +
'''Scotland'''
 +
 
 +
* [[Dan McFarlane]]
 +
* [[Craig Napier]]
 +
* [[Lloyd Wilson]]
 +
 
 +
'''Spain'''
 +
 
 +
* [[Jesus Tomillero]]
 +
 
 +
'''Switzerland'''
 +
 
 +
* [[Pascal Erlachner]]
 +
 
 +
'''The Netherlands'''
 +
 
 +
* [[John Blankenstein]]
 +
 
 +
'''United States'''
 +
 
 +
* [[Scott Bova]]
 +
* [[Che Flores]]
 +
* [[Bryan Hicks]]
 +
* [[Bruce Littrell]]
 +
* [[Matthew Nelson]]
 +
* [[Dave Pallone]]
 +
* [[Violet Palmer]]
 +
* [[Amanda Sauer-Cook]]
 +
* [[Dale Scott]]
 +
* [[Steve Strimling]]
 +
* [[Billy Van Raaphorst]]
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
Line 31: Line 73:
 
* [[LGBTQ Tennis]]
 
* [[LGBTQ Tennis]]
 
* [[LGBTQ Cyclists]]
 
* [[LGBTQ Cyclists]]
 +
* [[LGBTQ Figure Skaters]]
 
* [[LGBTQ Professional and Amateur Sports Coaches]]
 
* [[LGBTQ Professional and Amateur Sports Coaches]]
 
* [[LGBTQ Personal Trainers and Lifestyle Coaches]]
 
* [[LGBTQ Personal Trainers and Lifestyle Coaches]]
Line 39: Line 82:
 
* [[The World of LGBTQ Golf]]
 
* [[The World of LGBTQ Golf]]
 
* [[World Sports Champions Who Identify as LGBTQ]]
 
* [[World Sports Champions Who Identify as LGBTQ]]
 +
* [[Sportswriters and Sportscasters of the LGBTQ Community]]
 +
* [[LGBTQ Athletes Who Have Won Olympic Gold]]
 +
* [[LGBTQ Track & Field]]
 +
* [[Lesbian Professional Basketball Players and Coaches]]
  
 
==Further Reading/Research==
 
==Further Reading/Research==

Latest revision as of 15:52, 24 October 2023

LGBTQ Sports Referees and Umpires

Whereas being an out LGBTQ sports player is challenging, being an out referee or umpire could be considered doubly difficult. Not only must the referee command the respect of the team players and their fans in the sport in all of the decisions they make, they must also maintain a sense of impartiality, avoid confrontation, and remain silent throughout. The latter can be very challenging when faced with a disappointing response to their call or the taunts and jeers of all concerned.

A recent 2015 NBC/USA poll shows that 25% of sports fans surveyed believed an openly-gay athlete on a team harms the team and the entire sport (see story link below). Though not surveyed, you can imagine this number would be greater if the question referred to the sexual orientation of the referee or umpire in the sport. In all, 90% of respondents believe professional sports, in general, is intolerant of LGBTQ inclusion and participation, regardless of the sport. Hence the inclination for all who participate in professional sports to remain in the closet.

Nevertheless, many LGBTQ professionals have achieved great recognition during their careers and there are several high-profile LGBTQ referees and umpires in professional sports today. Did you know that the first woman to be appointed as a fully-accredited referee in the National Basketball Association, Violet Palmer, is also a lesbian? As well, Major League Baseball's umpire Dale Scott has worked in three World Series games and three All Star games. In 2015, the U.S. Tennis Association appointed its first out gay Chief Umpire for the U.S. Tennis Open, Bruce Littrell. Major League Soccer's referee Matthew Nelson was a member of the 2016 MLS All Star officiating team. The notable transgender individuals on the list are volleyball referee Stephanie Shostak and the world's first transgender football referee Lucy Clark. Great Britain's Ryan Atkin is considered the first out gay referee in professional football/soccer. American Bryan Hicks was appointed the Director of Officiating in ice hockey at ECAC afer being the youngest tennis umpire in history at Wimbledon.

No doubt, there are many LGBTQ referees and umpires acting in minor league and amateur sports also. The group of LGBTQ professionals identified below serve as role models for them and others considering officiating as a career path.

We have identified the following professional LGBTQ sports referees and umpires, hailing from the Netherlands, Canada, Great Britain, Spain, and the United States:

Brazil

Canada

Great Britain

Israel

Norway

Scotland

Spain

Switzerland

The Netherlands

United States

See Also

Further Reading/Research


Share on Facebook