There has been a lot of discussion of late both within the queer and mainstream communities about the issue of homophobia in sport. The issue was highlighted by alarming comments from Jeff Kennett President of the Hawthorn Football Club and Chairman of Beyond Blue. (Need to refresh your memory? Click here.)

Though the topic of homophobia in sport is a news hot potato right now, it’s unfortunately nothing new, and is a reality for queers in mainstream sport locally and internationally. And after the current surge of media interest has died, it will still be with us. But hopefully not for too much longer.

Over the last three years a number of Victorian groups and organisations have been working together to challenge homophobia in mainstream sport, including the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Queer Sports Alliance Melbourne, Victoria University and Sport & Recreation Victoria.

Following the momentum of the first Asia Pacific Outgames, these organisations came together to formalise the Challenging Homophobia in Sports Initiative (CHISI), which has been established as a working group of the Queer Sports Alliance Melbourne.

Building upon successful international models such as those in North America and Europe, CHISI’s proposes to develop research projects, training, education and leadership to address and challenge homophobic discrimination in sport, and lead the charge in advocating for the rights for Queers in sport.

Challenging Homophobia In Sports Initiative is calling for input from the community to help build upon their work over the past three years, and has issued an open community invitation to join a meeting they are holding.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss what part homophobia plays in the lives of queer Victorians, consolidate the recent surge of community support, and to plan constructive future actions and events so that homophobia in mainstream sport will not go unchecked.

It will also be a chance for the community to get to know CHISI a bit better, and to find out about all the work that has been done by the initiative over the past three years.

The Challenging Homophobia In Sports Initiative – Community Meeting will be held on Wednesday 24th September, 6pm at JOY FM’s Community Meeting Room, Level 9, 225 Bourke St, Melbourne.

Those interested are asked to RSVP to daniel@prideandprejudice.com.au by 17th September 2008.