Diversity within? The paradox of social dominance and LGBTQ+ events

LGBTQ+ events can challenge social hierarchies as part of the social movement for equality, with event attendance assumed to reflect solidarity with this cause. Applying Social Dominance Theory, this study evaluates intra-group differences based on LGBTQ+ people’s social dominance orientation (SDO) and their degree of outness. Using a sequential mixed methods design in Australia, Study One (n = 420) uncovers three clusters: Hierarchy Supporters, Hierarchy Reformers, and Hierarchy Disruptors, in decreasing order of their SDO. These clusters differ not only on their event motivation and participation behaviours but also on their gender identities and sexual orientation. In Study Two (n = 12), we found event characteristics that were either hierarchy attenuating or enhancing. Taken together, the findings demonstrate that LGBTQ+ people differ in their SDO with event characteristics attenuating or enhancing social hierarchies. As such, LGBTQ+ events through their design elements can diminish social hierarchies to make LGBTQ+ events more inclusive for all queer people. Such events can also have a transformative potential for Hierarchy Supporters.