LGBQ+ Individuals’ Experiences in Collegiate Women’s Sport Since the Passage of Title IX: A Systematic Review

The 50th anniversary of Title IX has prompted practitioners and scholars to reflect on the gravity of this monumental civil rights law. These reflections highlight how access and protection under Title IX are afforded to all participants in girls’ and women’s” sport, particularly LGBQ+ athletes. To provide safer spaces for LGBQ+ individuals in sport and to reform laws meant to protect individuals operating within institutions impacted by Title IX, we need to understand the experiences of these individuals in the post-Title IX era. The aim of this systematic review was to examine LGBQ+ individuals’ experiences competing in collegiate women’s sport since the passage of Title IX. A search across four databases generated 11 articles published over 24 years. LGBQ+ athletes experienced stereotypes, discrimination, exclusion, identity negotiation, and inclusion. Findings portray the limited scope of Title IX in its sole focus of discrimination “on the basis of sex,” neglecting the experiences of LGBQ+ individuals and the multifaceted nature of institutions to which Title IX applies. Further examination of LGBQ+ experiences in collegiate women’s sport is needed to develop nuanced understandings and inform initiatives to cultivate safer spaces for all sport stakeholders under the purview of Title IX.