Consequences of (non) disclosure of homosexuality and sexual prejudice: The point of view of homosexuals

Abstract

The study examines homosexuals’ representation of the way gay men are perceived by the population in general, and the relationship between this representation and the perception of the consequences of disclosing or concealing homosexuality. Results indicate that respondents view as little probable that gay men who disclose their sexual orientation experiment negative feelings and that gay men who conceal homosexuality be discriminated. They perceive as low heterosexuals’ levels of prejudice and of motivation to respond without prejudice. Contrary to our expectative, the consequences of disclosing homosexuality are not related with the perceived levels of homophobia but with the perception of the motivation to respond without prejudice, higher levels of internal motivation being related with the perception of a lower probability that gay men who disclose homosexuality suffer discrimination.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v26i1.261

The study examines homosexuals’ representation of the way gay men are perceived by the population in general, and the relationship between this representation and the perception of the consequences of disclosing or concealing homosexuality. Results indicate that respondents view as little probable that gay men who disclose their sexual orientation experiment negative feelings and that gay men who conceal homosexuality be discriminated. They perceive as low heterosexuals’ levels of prejudice and of motivation to respond without prejudice. Contrary to our expectative, the consequences of disclosing homosexuality are not related with the perceived levels of homophobia but with the perception of the motivation to respond without prejudice, higher levels of internal motivation being related with the perception of a lower probability that gay men who disclose homosexuality suffer discrimination.