How safe is the playing field? Collegiate coaches' attitudes towards gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals

Within the American university setting, athletics is often perceived as an extremely hostile and unwelcoming environment for gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals. However, research in this area is limited and mostly qualitative. Because the coach plays a pivotal role in the climate of a team by determining whether prejudice and discrimination will be promoted, tolerated, or prohibited, this study examined collegiate coaches' (N = 289) attitudes towards gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals. Overall, tolerance toward gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals was found with less positive attitudes toward bisexuality as a stable identity.