Differences in Sexual Minority Groups’ Perceptions of Police Legitimacy

• In Event: Police Legitimacy and Public Opinion

Abstract

This study examines whether perceptions of police interactions vary by sexual minority group (i.e., gay men, lesbians, bisexual men, and bisexual women). Using data from the Generations Study, bivariate analysis revealed variations in police contact and legitimacy measures across groups. Bisexual men (88.9%) reported more contact with police but had more positive views of police legitimacy, while bisexual women (91.0%) had the most contact with police and the most negative perceptions. Logistic regression showed no significant relationship between sexual minority groups and police legitimacy, but all groups were linked to perceptions of everyday discrimination. Further mediation analysis indicates that the relationship between sexual minority groups and both perceptions of police behavior and police respect was mediated by perceptions of everyday discrimination.

Author

• Jordan DiTullio, Rutgers University-Newark