Groundbreaking American football player Michael Sam has thrown his support behind the Out on the Fields study, which needs more New Zealand voices. The study is the first to collect national data about discrimination in New Zealand as well as other English speaking countries, so they can be compared. This will help researchers determine both the extent of the problem internationally as well as identify which countries are doing the best job at creating sports cultures that are welcoming and safe to gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Michael Sam joins sports stars from the US, UK and Australia in speaking up for the campaign, including league players Sam and Tom Burgess, player Sarah Walsh, Wallaby and lgbt rights advocate David Pocock and Aussie Rules player and lgbt rights advocate Brock McLean. David Pocock Researchers conducting the Out on the Fields study need 200 more people in New Zealand to take part, to reach their target of 500 people. They also need more people from other countries. The study is open to everyone, regardless of sexuality or whether they have played sports. It takes around 10 minutes to complete online through www.outonthefields.com The study was commissioned by organisers of The Bingham Cup, the world cup of gay rugby, being held in Sydney later this month. It is being conducted pro-bono by sports research firm Repucom in consultation with researchers from six universities. Results will be released later this year. Dr. Sue Rankin, a retired professor from Pennsylvania State University, is world respected pioneer of research into homophobia in sports. She is one of the experts reviewing the study and its results. “We’ve been really pleased with the number of people who have already taken part in the study and shared their stories, particularly men in Australia and the United States. We are on track for 'Out on the Fields' to be the largest study ever done on this issue. “Having said this, as a former woman athlete and coach, I strongly encourage more women, in particular, to take part so we gain a broad picture of the entire LGBT community.” GayNZ.com staff - 9th August 2014