Heterosexist System Justification: Identity and Ideology Explain Variability in Sexual Minorities’ Opposition to Homophobia and Support for LGBTQ+ Rights

Authors

  • Mark R. Hoffarth
    Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
  • Usman Liaquat
    Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
  • John T. Jost
    Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA

Abstract

We hypothesized that because politically conservative ideology legitimizes the status quo—including heteronormative institutions and arrangements—it should be negatively associated with in-group identification, opposition to homophobia, and support for LGBTQ+ rights among sexual minorities. These hypotheses, which were derived from system justification theory, were assessed in large US samples of sexual minority respondents. In Study 1 (N = 4,530) and Study 2 (N = 1,107), we observed that more conservative sexual minorities expressed weaker sexual identification, and, relatedly, less support for same-sex marriage and adoption and other rights and privileges, as well as less participation in collective action in favor of LGBTQ+ rights. In Study 3 (N = 446), heterosexist system justification was associated with decreased sexual identification and support for LGBTQ+ rights. In all studies, identity and ideology accounted for unique variance in support for vs. opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. Implications for the politics of sexual identity and collective action among disadvantaged groups are discussed.