Can I Live? Stereotypes and the Intersectional Identities of Black Gay Men

• In Event: Creating, Sharing, and Reducing Stereotypes Through Communication

Abstract

This research builds on intersectionality research to investigate the effects of a single marginalized identity and multiple marginalized group identities in an experimental setting. We conduct an experimental study where participants read a (fictitious) news article in which the race and sexual orientation of an individual has been manipulated. Identity cues are given in order to prime stereotypes linked with intersectional identities. We examine which stereotypes are activated by (race/sexual orientation) condition and the influence of those stereotypes has on the evaluations of the individual and policy importance of issues related to those stereotypes. The results show stereotype activation for participants in the white gay male condition and as a result greater likelihood of discriminate as well as less policy importance of gay related issues. The lack of stereotype activation in black gay male may be attributed to suppression and/or lack of schema among study participants.

Authors

• Catasha Renell Davis, University of Wisconsin-Madions

• David Coppini, University of Wisconsin, Madison

• Shawnika Jeanine Hull, U of Wisconsin-Madison