Gladiators grumble

gay men are definitely under-represented in sport, borderline criminally so in e.g. football, so it was very reasonable of him to bring up his sexuality. such a shame though to conflate the letters since the L is vastly over-represented in women's sport and the T (including non-binary and TW/TM, all in women's sport naturally) seems to be at least modestly well represented, even in the obvious cases were it shouldn't be - ditto so called 'intersex', again only people with y chromosomes trying to sneak into women's sport, not many eg women with turners syndrome chancing their arm with the men.

What in blue blazes has sexuality got to do with sport? It's irrelevant. Why are we so obsessed with who you are attracted to?

Good for her! You're obviously doing a good job with her. We need more girls & women to notice and speak up!

Yes, I think so. Bi women as well of course.

Where is the representation for bi men?

Female athletes who identify as trans and non-binary also seem fairly well represented in female sport (not surprisingly).

It is only the gay men who are underrepresented.

That's the op's point. It's men's sport that's the issue. There's an absolute dearth of representation in many men's sports - whether it's because gay/bi men don't feel safe to come out, or whether they don't participate at all.

T rep is complicated. Transmen generally compete in female sport. TW self-exclude from male sport, and there are safety and fairness reasons that women's sport needs to be categorised by sex not gender.

Kerry was one of the contestants on the first (I think?) week the show started and when Barney asked her who was in the arena supporting her she said "my wife and my friends". She didn't mention anything in her bio video intro (I remember her because shes from Scotland and Iliked her amd was rooting for her the first week), whereas 'LGBT Community' dude made most of his video bio about it (a few weeks ago - I missed the videos yesterday).

I thought it was just a bit pointless. I didn’t even know he was gay, so it was a bit odd to drop it in at the end. I don’t get the need to specifically mention it, rather than just ensuring they are represented.
maybe I’m just oblivious though because I don’t recall clocking the sexuality of either of the female contestants either. Was that including in the video but about them at the beginning?

So then really he should have taken out the L? There isn't much BGTQ+ representation, especially in men's sport.

Tarmacadamia I totally agree. I said exactly the same to my OH. It was as if he thought he was the only gay in the village and gay women couldn't possibly count.

@Tinysoxxx Brilliant 😂

When I read the title I read it in the tone of the catchphrase, glad-ee-ators Reddddeeee. So glad-ee-ators grrrrummble. Cheered me right up.

Who was the gay presenter? The only male presenter I remember was John fashanu

Agree with you, OP. When I heard his comments I thought, why not just say 'as a gay man' and keep the focus on that. I didn't think it was horrendous but it definitely jarred for me and made me a bit grumpy too!

Huh.The programme used to have a gay presenter and a woman, but now it's two staight males.

I think that Betti's comment about the Gladiator's thighs was entirely meant as a compliment, then the reaction by the crowd made it seem otherwise, which was why she them said ' completing you btw' and looked a bit worried. I think it's more interesting that the crowd interpreted it as an insult. Betti is strong and muscular herself so would be unlikely to judge a woman negatively for muscular thighs.

I think last night was the 3rd comment along those lines I've heard from male contestants.

The comments from women are, on the other hand, comments of admiration.

Most of the male contestants also comment on the male gladiators with admiration. It's the ones with a sexual undertone that really stand out to me.

Yes to the women showing young girls what female strength and power looks like, which is excellent.

Not on the same point, but it irritated me when both female competitors pointed out the physical traits in the gladiators - her legs are so big, and she's so heavy are the two comments I think I heard. Both then made a point of saying oh not in that way comment afterwards, as if they were insinuating they were fat. These gladiators are meant to be big, heavy, strong, and the male gladiators are celebrated for it- and I hope the female gladiators celebrate it themselves too. It made me a little sad that we still feel like we have to apologise for it for women, that if we comment on anything, it's perceived as fat, not strong.

It's quite common with men (gay or straight) who don't see women as equally human.