Gay = STIs? Exploring gay and lesbian sexual health stereotypes and their implications for prejudice and discrimination

Abstract

Gay men and lesbian women face health inequities as well as disparate treatment from healthcare providers. Stereotypes surrounding sexual health might contribute to these disparities. In five studies (N=1858), we explored sexual health stereotypes about gay men and lesbian women and their implications in prejudice/discrimination. In Studies 1, 2A, and 2B, we found people explicitly associated gay men with promiscuity and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) more than lesbian women or straight men/women. Implicitly, both gay men and lesbian women were more associated with promiscuity and STIs than straight counterparts. In Studies 3A and 3B, we tested whether these associations have consequences—finding that people express more prejudice and discrimination towards gay men and lesbian women with STIs versus those with non-STIs or straight counterparts with either disease type. Taken together, the current research identifies some psychological factors that may underpin health disparities and healthcare barriers for gay and lesbian people.

Advancing research into the social psychology of sexual orientations and gender identities: Current research and future directions

“…Rice, Hudson, and Noll (2022) examined the nature of sexual health‐specific stereotypes towards gay men and lesbian women as well as the role of these assumptions in prejudice and discrimination. Specifically, through five studies using correlational designs with quantitative and qualitative data ( Ntot = 1407), they showed that gay men were more closely associated with risky sexual behaviour and sexual transmitted infections (STIs) than heterosexual men, lesbian women, or heterosexual women, and more closely associated with promiscuity than heterosexual or lesbian women.…”

The best little kid in the world: Internalized sexual stigma and extrinsic contingencies of self‐worth, work values, and life aspirations among men and women

“…Social conditions for men and women who identify as sexual minority have undeniably improved in recent years (Hagen & Goldman, 2020; Twenge et al., 2016), even since Pachankis and Hatzenbuehler's research (2013) on the Best Little Boy in the World Hypothesis (BLBWH). However, negative stereotypes and homonegativity in society have certainly not disappeared (see Rice et al., 2021) and indeed remain substantial in some communities (e.g., fundamentalist religious communities; Bjork‐James, 2018; Janssen & Scheepers, 2019; Schwartz & Lindley, 2009). Moreover, those individuals raised before some of these improvements likely experienced substantial stigmatization during formative years, including early adulthood, contributing to negative consequences.…”