Eastlake Cricket Club captain Petra Bright knew she fitted a stereotype, a big part of the reason why she didn't want to tell teammates she was gay.
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"It took me a long time to come out because I didn't want to be typecast as a gay female cricketer,'' Bright explains.
"It wasn't because I didn't think I'd have the support of my teammates, but just because I play cricket it has no bearing on my sexuality.
"Now I really regret not coming out earlier, especially knowing at the end of the day it's made no difference - other than to make me happier."
More than 37 per cent of gay athletes in the ACT have not told teammates about their sexuality according to the Inclusive Sport Survey, the first of its kind to be conducted in the Territory.
In combination with other research projects, such as Victoria's Come Out to Play and the international study Out on the Field, it aims to establish a framework for more equality in sport.
Commissioned by the ACT Government, findings of the Inclusive Sport Survey will be released on Saturday - the International Day Against Homophobia.
Findings, from almost 300 ACT-based gay athletes, include:
- 40.8 per cent have felt unsafe in a sporting environment;
- 32.2 per cent have experienced verbal homophobia or bullying, that figure jumping to 40 per cent for gay men;
- 4.4 per cent had experienced homophobic assault;
- 34 per cent experienced sexism in sport; and
- 32.8 per cent were completely open to teammates about their sexuality.
Australian female cricketer and world cup winner Alex Blackwell admitted on Friday she'd been subjected to homophobic abuse in 2012, which made her question whether to continue in the sport.
Bright said she'd never personally felt unsafe or victimised by homophobia in the ACT, but admitted she'd seen teammates subject to verbal taunts.
"This was years ago. I don't want to repeat what was said, but there were nasty comments, unwarranted comments from some people within the club," Bright said.
"I've seen a really positive shift in the last few years. There's been a culture change. My club has never actually made any tangible changes in terms of policy, but it's an accepted thing. People have this sense of community in the club."
Last month cricket and Australia's four major football codes made a world-first commitment to try and rid their sports of homophobia.
There have been prominent examples this year in men's US sports. NBA star Jason Collins became the first openly gay athlete of America's four major sports. Michael Sam then became the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL.
It has been almost 20 years since former Australian rugby league star, Ian Roberts, publicly announced he was gay.
The ACT's Inclusive Sport Survey reveals 16 per cent of gay male athletes in the territory identified a sport they'd like to participate in but didn't because of their sexuality. The biggest result was for rugby league (45.5 per cent).
Bright was "appalled" by comments from AFL commentator Sam Newman this week.
Sam was televised kissing his boyfriend after being drafted, Newman describing it as an "annoyingly gratuitous act".
Bright commended the "risks" taken by athletes such as Collins and Sam.
"I think in general it's a bit easier for women ... you know there's others who have come out before and it makes it easier, you're not breaking any barriers in a sense,'' Bright said.
"But for men, frankly there's very few who have come out in sport, even at a local level.
"You need people to put themselves out there and take those risks. Unfortunately they do end up copping a lot of flak from some people, but there's also a huge amount of positive support."
