“It’s best not to discuss or see sexual orientation”: An examination of sexuality blindfolding

Abstract

A vast literature has examined identity-blind ideologies towards race (e.g., beliefs that ignoring racial differences/race can promote intergroup harmony), but a parallel ideology regarding beliefs about discussing and recognizing sexual orientation has yet to be explored. Across four studies, the present work documented correlates of identity-blind ideologies towards sexual orientation (referred to in this work as sexuality blindfolding) among cisgender heterosexual samples, and explored LGBTQ participants’ perceptions of sexuality blindfolding. Studies 1–2 indicated two dimensions of sexuality blindfolding (i.e., category evasion and discussion avoidance) which have distinct relationships with cisgender heterosexual Americans’ LGBTQ attitudes and equality support. Studies 3–4 examined LGBTQ individuals’ perceptions of organizations that endorsed one or more of the dimensions of sexuality blindfolding, and identified consistent negative perceptions of discussion avoidance, with less negative perceptions of category evasion. Taken together, the present work expands research on identity-blind ideologies, critiques the egalitarian framing of sexuality blindfolding, and identifies how varied dimensions of sexuality blindfolding may shape LGBTQ people’s belonging and equality pursuits.