The objective of this study was to describe, report and analyze the self-perception of homosexual athletes behavior in Volleyball, as well as, to observe what were their perceptions of sexual identity within the sports, and cases of prejudice and discrimination suffered by them that have hampered sports career. The participants were four gays professionals male athletes of volleyball in southeastern Brazil. Participants responded to a semi-structured interview that the data were analyzed through speech analysis. They believe that the volleyball tolerates homosexuals` athletes, provided they retain their supposedly appropriate gender orientation and reported some cases of prejudice, between fans, coaches and other homosexual athletes. As a limitation to this study was observed the resistance of gay athletes to discuss on the topic. It was concluded that the discreet homosexual orientation is more tolerable than a feminine gender orientation in terms of athletic identity in this sport environment. It was seem through athletes` speeches that a cross gender orientation does that technicals and tacticals skills being disregarded.
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