This project explores how LGBTQIA+ women athletes are represented in sports media and how these portrayals reinforce or challenge gender and sexual norms, contributing to the revision of Section J of the Beijing Platform for Action. Through a comparative analysis of national newspapers and sports outlets in Spain, Italy, Germany, and Iran, the group examined media coverage from the 2020 Olympics to the present, using an adapted Media Monitoring Tool. Their findings reveal a pattern of tokenism, where LGBTQIA+ athletes are often framed through their identities rather than their athletic accomplishments, with limited attention to intersecting factors like race and class. Iran stands out for its near-total erasure of LGBTQIA+ women in sports media, reflecting broader structural exclusion.
By highlighting the imbalance in media narratives, this project calls for more inclusive, nuanced, and achievement-focused reporting on queer athletes. It directly aligns with strategic objective J2 of the Beijing Platform by proposing media literacy actions that challenge stereotypes and promote awareness of human rights. To engage younger audiences and amplify these insights, the group produced an educational podcast, aimed at listeners aged 14–19, which presents their research findings in an accessible, conversational format. The podcast encourages critical reflection on how media shapes public perceptions of sexuality, gender, and athleticism in sports.
