The UMH puts together the third conference against LGBTIQ+ phobia in sports

It was put together by the Diversity Unit and the Office of Healthy Campuses and Sports at Miguel Hernández University in Elche as the “III UMH Conference against LGTBIQ+ phobia.” “Sports and Difference.” The talks in the Valona building on the Elche site were part of the International Day against phobia against LGBTQ+ people in sports.

Maje Sánchez García, a professional duathlon cross racer, opened the sessions with a talk about what it’s really like to be LGBTIQ+ in sports. Sánchez said that her looks have been one of the hardest things about her working life because she always feels judged and picked on in locker rooms and on podiums. The athlete also defended how important it is to give these talks at universities to help people feel supported and to “change the perspective” on instances of LGTBIQ+phobia in sports.

For his part, Iván Jiménez, who works for the DIMOVE Association, talked about some of the problems that LGTBIQ+ people face in this area. Jiménez said that there is still a lot of work to be done and that 80% of the people in the group have been discriminated against in sports. More than half of athletes hide their sexuality when they play sports, and the representative said, “Trans people are suffering a disproportionate attack in this area that cannot be tolerated.”