The role of identity in understanding prejudice within the LGBTQ+ community

Abstract

This study explored lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals’ strength of identification with their subgroup (lesbian/gay or bisexual) and superordinate group (LGBTQ+) and whether the discrepancy between these identity dimensions relates to binegativity (the stigmatization of bisexuality). Our hypothesis that there would be a significant main effect of self-categorization level (superordinate vs. subgroup) on identity centrality was not supported. Our hypothesis that the difference between strength of subgroup and superordinate group identity centrality would be related to expressed binegativity among LG participants was partially supported. There was a significant negative correlation suggesting that as participants felt that their subgroup was relatively more important than the superordinate group, the less they acknowledged the existence of prejudice against bisexuals. Additionally, bisexuality threat, stigma-based solidarity, linked fate, and ingroup representations were significantly correlated with binegativity. Our results provide a first foundational step in a series of studies that will investigate the causes of binegativity among LG people and potential interventions.