This study investigated attitudes toward gay men and lesbians among collegiate varsity athletes and recreational sport club participants, including an investigation of differences in attitudes across competitive levels, team and individual sport divisions, sport by sport comparisons, gender, grade level, race, contact with gay men and lesbians and ethnicity. Identifying as a gay or lesbian participant in the heavily masculinized arena of sport can be expected to result in severe social and individual consequences which could serve to heavily dissuade otherwise interested participants to participate in sporting activity. The overarching purpose of this study was to introduce heterosexism research into leisure studies; providing participants, administrators, scholars and practitioners with guidelines to initiate or improve policies to provide an inclusive and inviting environment for all who wish to partake in this leisure activity. This study utilized a modified version of the Attitudes Toward Gay Men and Lesbians scale (Herek, 1984; 1988) administered online to a census sampling of varsity athletic and recreational club sport participants at Indiana University for the 2010-2011 academic year to acquire overall attitudinal scores of participants toward lesbians and gay men, as well as two parallel sub-scale scores. Utilizing ANOVA, MANOVA and t-test statistical testing procedures, significant differences (p less than 0.05) in attitudes toward gay men and lesbians were found based upon varsity and recreational athlete competitive level, varsity team/individual sport designation, gender, recreational grade level, contact with gay men and lesbians, and among different recreational club sports. Significant statistical differences (p less than 0.05) between attitudinal sub-scale scores were also found across demographic levels. Further study is necessary to fully understand and investigate the results of this exploratory study, including policy implications and educational initiatives that may be introduced in efforts to ensure an open participatory atmosphere within university organized sport environments. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]