Gender identification and attitudes toward gay people: Gender and sexuality differences and similarities

Current Psychology. 2023. Vol. 42. P. 7197–7210.

Gulevich O., Krivoshchekov V., Sorokina A.

Previous research has demonstrated the existence of gender and sexuality differences in attitudes toward gay people (which in this paper includes both lesbian women and gay men unless specified). However, these studies did not account for people with diverse genders and sexual orientations ascribing different meanings to their gender identification and its potential role in attitudes towards gay people. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between gender identification and attitudes toward gay people among individuals of different genders and sexual orientations. Based on data obtained from 851 Russian respondents, the study reports the exploration of the direct link between two components of gender identification and four components of attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. Results indicated that stronger gender identification, in general, was related to more negative attitudes toward both gay men and lesbians. At the same time, compared to women and bisexual respondents, this link was stronger among men and straight participants respectively. A possible explanation via traditional gender ideologies is discussed.

Keywords: гендерная идеология, гендерная идентификация, gender identification, attitudes toward homosexuals, Traditional gender ideology, аттитюды к гомосексуалам