"Some of My Best Friends" Intergroup Contact, Concealable Stigma, and Heterosexuals' Attitudes Toward Gay Men and Lesbians

Abstract

In a two-wave national telephone survey, a probability sample of English-speaking adults indicated their attitudes toward gay men at Wave 1 (1990-91; n = 538) and toward both gay men and lesbians approximately 1 year later (n = 382 at Wave 2). At Wave 1, heterosexuals reporting interpersonal contact (31.3%) manifested more positive attitudes toward gay men than those without contact. Their attitudes were more favorable to the extent that they reported more relationships, closer relationships, and receiving direct disclosure about another's homosexuality. At Wave 2, these findings were generally replicated for attitudes toward lesbians as well as gay men. Cross-wave analyses suggest a reciprocal relationship between contact and attitudes. Theoretical and policy implications of the results are discussed, with special attention to the role of interpersonal disclosure in reducing stigma based on a concealable status.

Stigma and disclosure: Implications for coming out of the closet

“…A subsequent study has shown that attitude change that results from contact maintains over time and is related to a change in behavior (Corrigan et al, 2003). In a similar vein, Herek (1986) and Herek & Capitanio (1996) observed that contact between homosexuals and heterosexuals diminished stigmatizing attitudes among heterosexuals. Hence, he concluded that coming out (one way to facilitate contact) has significant value for diminishing the stigma experienced by gay men and lesbians.…”

Predicting opposition to the civil rights of trans persons in the United Kingdom

“…Heterosexism is generally higher among men (Kite & Whitley, 1998), religious persons (Herek, 1987), persons with no personal contact with sexual minorities (Herek & Capitanio, 1996;Pettigrew and Tropp, 2000), and non-psychology students (Ellis, Kitzinger, & Wilkinson, 2002). Sexual prejudice is also strongly correlated with right-wing authoritarianism (RWA, Altemeyer, 1988;Whitley, 1999).…”

Homosexuality and the Military: A Review of the Literature

“…Although that is not the case for homosexuals in the military, the hypothesis has been tested in the civilian sector. Surveys using nationally representative probability samples indicate that heterosexuals who have personal contact with gay men and lesbians have more positive attitudes toward them than those heterosexuals who lacked the contact experience (Herek & Capitanio, 1996;Herek & Glunt, 1993). This was also the case in the research examining the integration of homosexuals in police and fire departments.…”