Cultural exposure refers to an individual's contact with media, education, experiences, social interactions, etc., that relate to LGBTQ+ people, such as television shows, movies, books, documentaries, music, art exhibits, lectures, conferences, etc. Queer representation is visible depictions of LGBTQ+ people in mainstream culture. Heteronormativity assumes that everyone is straight, cisgender, monogamous, and heterosexual. Implicit biases are unconscious assumptions about someone based on their membership in a group. This article explores how cultural exposure to queer representation can alter implicit biases in heteronormative populations.
Cultural exposure to queer representation has been shown to reduce implicit biases against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and nonbinary (LGBTQIA+) individuals. Studies have found that viewing positive portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters leads to more favorable attitudes toward them and less support for anti-gay legislation.
One study showed that watching a short animated film featuring LGBTQ+ characters led to reduced prejudice among elementary school children. Another study showed that college students who watched a documentary about LGBTQ+ rights activists had lower levels of homophobia compared to those who didn't watch it. These findings suggest that exposure to positive representations of queer identities can change negative attitudes toward them.
Researchers have also examined the effects of exposure to negative portrayals of LGBTQ+ people on implicit bias. One study found that college students who viewed an anti-gay advertisement became more biased against LGBTQ+ people, even if they were already supportive of LGBTQ+ rights. The participants reported feeling distressed by the ad and had increased negative affect towards LGBTQ+ people afterward. These results indicate that exposure to negative messages can reinforce negative attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals. It is important for media creators and educators to consider the potential impact of their content when creating or presenting materials related to LGBTQ+ people.
Cultural exposure can influence broader societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ issues. Exposure to positive queer representation in mainstream culture has been linked with greater acceptance of same-sex marriage and transgender rights. A survey of U.S. adults found that exposure to positive images of LGBTQ+ people was associated with higher levels of support for same-sex marriage and gender identity legislation. This suggests that cultural exposure can help shift public opinion away from heteronormative norms and towards greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ people.
Cultural exposure to queer representation can alter implicit biases in heteronormative populations through increasing positive attitudes towards LGBTQ+ identities and reducing negative ones. This effect is most pronounced when exposure comes from positive representations, but even negative exposure can have consequences. Media creators and educators should consider the potential impact of their work on viewers' attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people, while society as a whole needs to continue working towards greater acceptance and inclusion.
How does cultural exposure to queer representation alter implicit biases in heteronormative populations?
Many studies have demonstrated that individuals from cultures with lower levels of queer representation tend to have more negative attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people than those from cultures with higher levels of queer representation (Jernigan & Golub, 2019). This suggests that cultural exposure to queer representation can help to reduce implicit bias against sexual and gender minorities. One potential mechanism is through increased contact and understanding between members of different groups.