Attitudes Towards Black Queer Individuals and Their Gender Expressions

• In Event: Attitudes toward and experiences of transgender and gender diverse youth

Abstract

One root cause of negative attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ individuals is gender stereotypes (Ellemers, 2018). Gender stereotypes reinforce social inequality and create narratives that aren't necessarily true about someone (Ellemers, 2018). Another cause of negative attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ individuals can be religion. Religious traditions can be fundamental to one’s identity and can inform individuals’ attitudes and acceptance of homosexuality. Religion has become a guidebook for people to follow which is a strong predictor of attitudes towards homosexuality (Adamczyk & Pitt, 2009). In the present study, we used images to explore attitudes and acceptance of Black queer individuals who present as masculine and feminine. We considered religion and general attitudes towards LGB individuals.

The present study consisted of 251 multicultural participants on TurkPrime. Participants were first asked to complete the Religious Commitment Inventory -10 Scale (RCI-10). After, participants were distributed equally into four groups, and each group received a different image of a Black queer individual either conforming to gender norms or non-conforming to gender norms. Participants were shown the same image of the person presenting as masculine and presenting as feminine. The images were: 1) a Black queer college male presenting as masculine, 2) the same Black queer college male presenting as feminine, 3) a Black queer college female presenting as masculine, and 4) the same Black queer college female presenting as feminine. Each image included a short biography that mentioned that the person in the image was in a same sex relationship. After participants viewed the image, they rated their feelings about the person in the image using a feeling thermometer and completed The Homosexuality Attitude Scale (HAS).

Our results indicate that attitudes and acceptance of LGB individuals are significantly affected by one’s religious commitment. High religious commitment was associated with more negative attitudes towards LGB individuals while low religious commitment was associated with more positive attitudes towards LGB individuals. From this sample of participants, individuals rated the image of the Black queer man more favorably. The hypothesis that religious commitment would be related to more negative attitudes towards LGB individuals was supported. However, we found that religious commitment was not a predictor of participants’ perception of an LGB individual. This means religious people may hold views about same sex relationships but that does not hinder them from having positive interactions with LGB people.

This research is crucial to understanding messages religious organizations may be sending to youth about gender roles. Gender role stereotypes don't allow youth to fully express their sexuality and their desired gender expression. Religious commitment based on the faith can serve as means to control what one does with their sexuality. In certain religious spaces, identifying as queer can create reactions such as hate speech. Instead of having conversations about sexuality and gender roles, some religious spaces disempower youth and they are left unsupported which then impacts how they see themselves and their place in society. This research is contributing to the current literature by recognizing the intricacies of intersectionality.

Author

• Alexandria Onuoha, Suffolk University
  Presenting Author