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. In implicit association tests, both gay men and lesbian women were more associated with promiscuity and STIs than straight counterparts. Studies 3A and 3B showed that these associations have consequences: people expressed more prejudice and discrimination toward 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.

Stigmatization of Consensual Non-Monogamous Partners: Perceived Endorsement of Conservation or Openness to Change Values Vary According to Personal Attitudes

“…This converges with previous research suggesting that individuals who depart from mononormativity may be less socially accepted and therefore at greater risk of stigmatization (Moors et al, 2013) and dehumanization (Rodrigues et al, 2018), even when compared to individuals who depart from heteronormativity. Indeed, even though gay men and same-sex male partners are targets of prejudice and discrimination (Brown & Groscup, 2009;Doan et al, 2015;Rice et al, 2021), acceptance towards sexual minorities has increased in the past few years in some parts of the world (Pew Research Center, 2020). For example, attitudes towards gay and lesbian individuals in Portugal have become more favorable in recent years, particularly after the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2010 (Hagen & Goldmann, 2020).…”

“…There is ample research showing that gay men and heterosexual partners have similar relationship functioning (Chonody et al, 2020;Peplau & Fingerhut, 2007;Reczek, 2020;. And yet, gay men (vs. heterosexual individuals) are perceived as more promiscuous, more likely to have risker sexual behaviors and spread STIs (Rice et al, 2021), and less likely to have loving, fulfilling, and serious relationships (Brown & Groscup, 2009;Doan et al, 2015). Much like CNM partners, gay partners are often stigmatized because of their sexual orientation (Lopes et al, 2017;Peplau & Fingerhut, 2007), are targets of violence (Lund et al, 2021), are avoided by others (Buck et al, 2013;Cook & Cottrell, 2021), and are dehumanized (Fasoli et al, 2016).…”

“…First, we wanted to replicate the results of the only study examining the intersection between consensual non-monogamy and sexual orientation stigmatization (Rodrigues et al, 2018). Second, gay men tend to be perceived as more promiscuous and to have poorer sexual health than lesbian women or heterosexual individuals (Rice et al, 2021) and can be at a higher risk of discrimination.…”

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

“…All groups were more flexible about boys' gendered behaviour (but not the occupation preferences), while all participants-except for gay participants-supported more traditional gendered behaviour (but not the occupation preferences) for girls. Rice, Hudson, and Noll (2022) examined the nature of sexual healthspecific 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.…”