Safe Learning Environment. All schools and sport organizations include lesbian, gay, and bisexual LGBT students, staff, and parents even if they have not made themselves known to the school or community. Educational institutions, athletic departments, and sport organizations have a responsibility to make their programs safe for all athletes and coaches, including LGBT athletes and coaches.
Respect for Difference. Coaches are important role models in athletes' lives. Coaches are responsible for and have opportunities to teach more than athletic skills and strategies. They are also responsible for and have opportunities to set examples of respect for differences.
Legal Liability. LGBT athletes and coaches are successfully using legal resources to address discrimination and harassment when administrators and coaches fail to address these issues. Educators have a responsibility to make sure their actions and words do not put themselves or their educational institutions in a position of legal liability.
Community Leadership. Student-athletes and coaches are highly visible community members who can influence how safe and welcoming schools and sport organizations are to students and student-athletes who feel marginalized?.
Removing Fear and Ignorance. All athletes have LGBT teachers, coaches, teammates, friends, or family members in their lives and LGBT people are increasingly visible. Young people need an opportunity to develop attitudes and beliefs based on respect for differences rather than fear or ignorance.