A sense of community in sport and physical activity for individuals of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in rural Australia: Experiences of belonging and exclusion

While sport and physical activity (PA) have historically played a significant role in facilitating a sense of community and in fostering social, cultural, and emotional connections among many people in rural areas, sport has also been criticised for acting as a bastion of hegemonic and heterosexual masculinity which can marginalise individuals and groups based on gender and sexuality. Therefore, the aim of this research was to describe the lived experiences and perspectives of individuals of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) living in rural and remote Australia. Our qualitative study of 12 SOGI individuals showed a sense of belonging and inclusion in sporting/ PA communities was highly valued. Simultaneously, feelings of exclusion, including lack of availability of PA or sporting opportunities were expressed by a majority of the participants. We discuss some of the implications of these findings for marginalised groups in rural and remote Australian communities.