Homophobic Hate Speech Affects Well-Being of Highly Identified LGBT People

Abstract

Two experimental studies, performed in Italy and Poland, showed that exposure to homophobic hate speech reduces well-being among LGBT+ people, particularly among those who highly identify with the LGBT+ community. Study 1 showed that exposure to homophobic words increases negative mood among highly identifying LGBT+ people, but it does not influence the negative affect of loosely identifying participants. Study 2 showed that exposure to homophobic statements reduces general life satisfaction among highly identifying LGBT+ people, as opposed to low-identifiers.

Keywords

hate speech identification LGBT health well-being

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