Development of heterosexuals into sexual-minority allies: A qualitative exploration

Julie M. Duhigg; Sharon S. Rostosky; Barry E. Gray; Mary K. Wimsatt

doi:10.1007/s13178-010-0005-2

Development of heterosexuals into sexual-minority allies: A qualitative exploration

Julie M. Duhigg, Sharon S. Rostosky, Barry E. Gray, Mary K. Wimsatt

Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

84 Scopus citations

Abstract

Heterosexually identified individuals can serve a crucial role as allies in eliminating sexual prejudice and the resulting policies that discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. However, few studies have systematically examined the development of heterosexual allies. Consensual qualitative research methods (Hill et al., The Counseling Psychologist, 25, 517-572, 1997) were used to analyze individual interviews conducted with a community sample of 12 heterosexually identified participants who demonstrated ally commitment through some form of LGBT activism. Findings revealed six domains that best described the development of these heterosexual allies. Participants described early role models, an evolving recognition and understanding of privilege and oppression, and conflict between an awareness of sexual prejudice and deeply held values of justice and equality. Participants also described barriers to LGBT activism and the rewards of ally work. The authors discuss implications for heterosexual ally development and, ultimately, for social justice and equality.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	2-14
Number of pages	13
Journal	Sexuality Research and Social Policy
Volume	7
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-010-0005-2
State	Published - Mar 2010

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This article is based on the first author’s 2007 dissertation, completed under the direction of the second author at the University of Kentucky. This research was funded in part by the American Psychological Association’s Division 44 Maylon Smith Scholarship Award (2005); additional funding was provided by University of Kentucky’s Arvle and Ellen Turner Thacker Endowment Fund (2005). Results of this study were first made public through a poster presentation at the 2006 American Psychological Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana. For transcribing the data, we owe a debt of gratitude to Phyllis Hoovler. Finally, we thank the study participants, whose sharing of their experiences contributed to a deeper understanding of ally activism.

Keywords

Activism
Ally
Bisexual
Gay
Identity
Lesbian
Social justice

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Gender Studies
Health(social science)
Sociology and Political Science

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10.1007/s13178-010-0005-2

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abstract = "Heterosexually identified individuals can serve a crucial role as allies in eliminating sexual prejudice and the resulting policies that discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. However, few studies have systematically examined the development of heterosexual allies. Consensual qualitative research methods (Hill et al., The Counseling Psychologist, 25, 517-572, 1997) were used to analyze individual interviews conducted with a community sample of 12 heterosexually identified participants who demonstrated ally commitment through some form of LGBT activism. Findings revealed six domains that best described the development of these heterosexual allies. Participants described early role models, an evolving recognition and understanding of privilege and oppression, and conflict between an awareness of sexual prejudice and deeply held values of justice and equality. Participants also described barriers to LGBT activism and the rewards of ally work. The authors discuss implications for heterosexual ally development and, ultimately, for social justice and equality.",

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Development of heterosexuals into sexual-minority allies: A qualitative exploration

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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