We're Here, We're Queer, We're on TV: The Effects of Visual Media on Heterosexuals' Attitudes Toward Gay Men and Lesbians¹

Abstract

Effects of visual media on attitudes toward gay men and lesbians were investigated by exposing 3 groups of participants to a brief video. The first group viewed an anti‐gay video. the second group viewed a pro‐gay video, and a comparison group viewed a neutral video. Participants attitudes were measured immediately following the video after seeing the video, participants were contacted by telephone. and their attitudes were again assessed. Participants were not aware of the connection between the follow‐up assessment and the initial video exposure. At follow‐up. participants attitudes were significantly different. with attitudes with the pro‐gay video group being most positive, and those in the anti‐gay video group being most negative.

The Influence of Media Role Models on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Identity

“…Thus, societal prejudice against GLB individuals needs to also be substantially decreased in order to allow GLB individuals a greater opportunity to achieve healthy functioning. Based on findings that exposure to negative portrayals of GLB individuals can cause heterosexuals to espouse relatively lasting negative attitudes toward this group whereas exposure to positive portrayals of GLB individuals can cause heterosexuals to espouse more positive attitudes toward this group (Levina, Waldo, & Fitzgerald, 2000;Schiappa, Gregg, & Hewes, 2005), it could be argued that increasing the positive representation of GLB media figures may be an important first step toward reducing societal prejudice against the GLB community.…”

The Interactive Impacts of High School Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) on College Student Attitudes Toward LGBT Individuals: An Investigation of High School Characteristics

“…First, there could be a "mere exposure effect" (Bornstein, 1989;Zajonc, 1968) operating in high schools with GSAs. Indeed, some research shows a significant relationship between mere exposure to pro-gay/lesbian media and positive attitudes toward gays and lesbians (Levina, Waldo, & Fitzgerald, 2000). Thus, students in schools with GSAs might be exposed to pro-LGBT initiatives, and this may impact their attitudes toward LGBT individuals.…”

Cohort Effect on the Coming Out Experiences of Bisexual Men

“…Positive attitudes have been shown to be correlated to contact with sexual minorities (Smith, Axelton and Saucier, 2009), the existence of 'ally groups' within organisational or institutional communities (Szalacha, 2003), early childhood experiences that normalise homosexuality (Stotzer, 2009), and the role of the internet and improving media representations of sexual minorities (Levina et. al., 2006;Netzley, 2010).…”