"Some of My Best Friends" Intergroup Contact, Concealable Stigma, and Heterosexuals' Attitudes Toward Gay Men and Lesbians

TLDR

A two-wave national telephone survey of English-speaking adults measured heterosexuals’ attitudes toward gay men at Wave 1 (1990‑91; n = 538) and toward gay men and lesbians about a year later (n = 382). Heterosexuals who had interpersonal contact reported more positive attitudes toward gay men, with greater positivity associated with more, closer relationships and direct disclosure; similar patterns were found for lesbians, and cross‑wave analyses suggest a reciprocal relationship between contact and attitudes, underscoring disclosure’s role in reducing concealable stigma.

Abstract

In a two-wave national telephone survey, a probability sample of English-speaking adults indicated their attitudes toward gay men at Wave 1 (1990-91; n = 538) and toward both gay men and lesbians approximately 1 year later (n = 382 at Wave 2). At Wave 1, heterosexuals reporting interpersonal contact (31.3%) manifested more positive attitudes toward gay men than those without contact. Their attitudes were more favorable to the extent that they reported more relationships, closer relationships, and receiving direct disclosure about another's homosexuality. At Wave 2, these findings were generally replicated for attitudes toward lesbians as well as gay men. Cross-wave analyses suggest a reciprocal relationship between contact and attitudes. Theoretical and policy implications of the results are discussed, with special attention to the role of interpersonal disclosure in reducing stigma based on a concealable status.