Gender Differences in Anticipated but Not Behavioral Confrontation of Heterosexist Comments

Heterosexist comments are prevalent, but they can be combatted by recognizing and confronting them. Using a 2 (participant gender: woman, man) by 2 (heterosexist comment: gender-policing, sexuality-based) design, we evaluated gender differences in ratings of offensiveness and confrontations of heter...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of homosexuality 2023-03, Vol.70 (4), p.681-706
Main Authors: Drake, R. Grace, Good, Jessica J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ally
behavioral confronting
Comments
confronting prejudice
contact
Expectations
Female
gender
Gender differences
Heterosexism
Heterosexuality
homophobia
Humans
Male
Men
Minority groups
non-target
Sex Factors
Sexism
Sexual and Gender Minorities
Sexual Behavior
Sexual orientation
Sexuality
Women
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Summary:Heterosexist comments are prevalent, but they can be combatted by recognizing and confronting them. Using a 2 (participant gender: woman, man) by 2 (heterosexist comment: gender-policing, sexuality-based) design, we evaluated gender differences in ratings of offensiveness and confrontations of heterosexist comments. In Study 1 (N = 110), participants imagined interacting with a person who made a heterosexist comment. In Study 2 (N = 86), participants interacted in-person with a confederate who made a heterosexist comment. In both studies, non-target (heterosexual) women rated the comments as more offensive as compared to non-target men. Notably, women anticipated confronting with more strength than men (Study 1), but in actuality confronted with similar strength as men (Study 2). We explored perceived perpetrator sexism, beliefs about appearing gay, and prior contact with sexual minorities as potential variables impacting gender differences and predicting confronting. Differences between anticipated and actual confronting are discussed.
ISSN:0091-8369
1540-3602
DOI:10.1080/00918369.2021.1999121