Includes bibliographical references and index.

Studying gays and lesbians in sport -- Link between sport and homophobia -- Homohysteria and declining homophobia -- Openly gay athletes in high school and university sport -- Openly lesbian athletes in high school and university sport -- Openly lesbian and gay male athletes in recreational sport -- Openly gay and lesbian elite athletes -- Impact of team climate and language on gay and lesbian athletes -- Impact of diminished homophobia on straight athletes -- Cooling down.

"Research has shown that since the turn of the millennia, matters have rapidly improved for gays and lesbians in sport. Where gay and lesbian athletes were merely tolerated a decade ago, today they are celebrated. This book represents the most comprehensive examination of the experiences of gays and lesbians in sport ever produced. Drawing on interviews with openly gay and lesbian athletes in the US and the UK, as well as media accounts, the book examines the experiences of 'out' men and women, at recreational, high school, university and professional levels, in addition to those competing in gay sports leagues. Offering a new approach to understanding this important topic, Out in Sport is essential reading for students and scholars of sport studies, LGBT studies and sociology, as well as sports practitioners and trainers"--Page 4 of cover.