A Rainbow Wave? LGBTQ Liberal Political Perspectives During Trump’s Presidency: an Exploration of Sexual, Gender, and Queer Identity Gaps

Queer Politics of a Pandemic: LGBTQ + People’s Conceptions of COVID-19’s Politicization

“…The COVID-19 pandemic—and public health measures taken to mitigate its spread—has been politically polarizing in the U.S.; vaccinations, mask-wearing, and adherence to social distancing recommendations can be traced by political lines, with self-identified political conservatives and Christian nationalists expressing greater skepticism and resistance to COVID-19 public health messaging (Perry et al, 2020 ; Whitehead & Perry, 2020a , 2020b ). The present study explores LGBTQ + adults’ understandings of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their perspectives on COVID-19’s politicization through an “underdog” framework emphasizing collectivism and social empathy among marginalized groups (Worthen, 2020 ). First, participants expressed a strong belief in evidence-based, science-informed pandemic views that shaped their perceptions of inadequate government leadership and communication that perpetuated structural inequalities through divisive politicization.…”

“…Worthen’s ( 2020 ) underdog theory posits that LGBTQ + people endure oppression and stigmatization because their identities are perceived as a threat to traditional values; their presence jeopardizes both heteronormativity and the gender binary. LGBTQ + people’s experiences with ostracization and stigma make them the “underdog” and so they might protect others who are also socially framed as the “underdog” (Worthen, 2020 ) or a member of a marginalized group. The underdog theory is a key framework useful for examining LGBTQ + community ideals within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…The underdog theory is a key framework useful for examining LGBTQ + community ideals within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social marginalization might encourage LGBTQ + people to lean politically liberal and engage in social justice that can counteract the effects of social inequalities and stigmatization (Landon, 2018 ; Worthen, 2020 ). Furthermore, the widespread use of religious fundamentalism in politically conservative rhetoric also encourages queer people’s religious detachment, liberalism, and pro-science beliefs compared to other marginalized groups like non-LGBTQ + women and people of color who may find solace in religion (Schnabel, 2018 , 2021 ).…”

“…Based on the underdog theory, the societal marginalization of LGBTQ + individuals thus encourages empathy toward others who are similarly structurally and interpersonally marginalized (Worthen, 2020 ). As such, LGBTQ + people are more likely to endorse contemporary intersectional activism, such as centering the voices of people of color, and by engaging in activism encouraging social change related to social inequities (Abreu et al, 2021 ; Worthen, 2020 ).…”

“…Based on the underdog theory, the societal marginalization of LGBTQ + individuals thus encourages empathy toward others who are similarly structurally and interpersonally marginalized (Worthen, 2020 ). As such, LGBTQ + people are more likely to endorse contemporary intersectional activism, such as centering the voices of people of color, and by engaging in activism encouraging social change related to social inequities (Abreu et al, 2021 ; Worthen, 2020 ). LGBTQ + social movements and groups have also, however, historically exhibited prejudicial beliefs and discriminatory practices, including racism excluding LGBTQ + people of color (Balsam et al, 2011 ), anti-transgender and gender expansive sentiment (Nagoshi & Brzuzy, 2010 ), and stigma against plurisexual identities (i.e., bisexuality) (Bradford, 2004 ; Weiss, 2003 ).…”