Article
Gay Men And Lesbians' Experiences In And Expectations For Interactions With Heterosexuals
Journal of Homosexuality
(2003)
Abstract
We analyzed 97 gay men's and lesbians' experiences with and expectations for interactions with majority group members. Respondents described reactions to previous or imagined future interactions with an unfamiliar heterosexual person who had just become aware that the respondent was lesbian or gay. Results indicated that respondents are more proactive than reactive (in contrast to expectation states theories), that the contact hypothesis can be appropriately applied to this group, even though the formulation of the theory was based upon negative attitudes in the absence of extensive contact, and that they have different reactions for people of different prejudice levels, rather than being globally suspicious, as is predicted by many intergroup theories. Future research should direct more attention to the stigmatized group members' attitudes about and reactions toward the majority group.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2003
DOI
10.1300/J082v44n01_05
Citation Information
Terri D. Conley, Patricia G. Devine, Jerome Rabow and Sophia R. Evett. "Gay Men And Lesbians' Experiences In And Expectations For Interactions With Heterosexuals" Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 44 Iss. 1 (2003) p. 83 - 109 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sophia-evett/5/