Homophobia in Sailing?

In big boats there's been the occasional "pull that sheet harder and stop p**fing around" sort of thing, but the only openly gay team (or so I was told, no one made a big deal about it) I've known in offshore boats seemed to be treated with full respect.  No one seems to care in dinghies. 

Edited by Chris 249 - 27 Oct 16 at 5:51am

Percieved homofobia through missunderstanding?

'We were having a lovely day ruined by those *generic asyemetric* sailors having a reach around. Why don't they go away and do it somewhere else, not the sort of thing you want around young children?'

Originally posted by Do Different I am often amazed at the lack of thorough research behind news items, it seems to me that sometimes the smallest sample of opinion is reported as a general fact.

Originally posted by MattK I have heard of quite a few examples of serious homophobia in sailing, particularly in yachts, particularly with south African and Australian crews

And do you think that is specifically characteristic of sailing or of attitudes in those countries?

I can possibly add a little to this conversation all be it from a slightly different perspective. Hope it doesn't come across as too indulgent in places.

I'm transgendered and when I lost my fight and had to transition to female a few years ago I thought I'd never sail competitively again. This was a big loss as it had been such a large part of my life and identity as well but my feelings of shame kept me away. Well last year while I has in a particularly low spot a couple of friends encouraged me back to try racing again and lent me a boat for a local traveller event.

As with most things in life the reality is never as bad as you think it will be and everybody in the fleet welcomed me in wholeheartedly. That first one day event has probably had a bigger positive effect on my self esteem as almost anything else in the previous 4 years! It soon became apparent that every club I went to and every old and new) sailing buddy I met welcomed me and made me feel part of the sport we all love again. I even did my first UK fleet event a few weeks ago and again everybody (none of which knew me) made me feel really welcome and a part of the fleet as I'm sure they'd do for any new class member. I hope to head overseas next year for an event or two and am fully expecting the same 'no problem' reaction.

So from my perspective sailing (dinghy racing at least) is probably the least judgemental, most open and most accommodating group of people I have come across to date and I would expect the same is true for gay sailors as well. People generally seem to accept that you are only there to sail, just like them and I've not seen a single bit of discrimination anywhere. (Dinghy) Sailing should give itself a pat on the back for being a top sport with top, friendly, accepting people in it. I can't really praise the sport high enough tbh.

I just need the sailing clothing manufacturers to do their ladies ranges in my size now!

Edited by KazRob - 27 Oct 16 at 9:00pm