Conformity to gender norms and denial of LGBTQ+ discrimination: The mediating role of anti-LGBTQ+ conspiracy beliefs

Conspiracy theories about the LGBTQ+ community are gaining increasing popularity and resulting in negative attitudes and discriminatory behaviours. Traditional and conservative views about gender are also highly associated with such negative consequences for sexual minorities, as a higher endorsement of anti-LGBTQ+ conspiracy beliefs (CBs). We conducted two studies among Italian cis heterosexual men and women to explore the relationships among the variables of interest. In Study 1 ( N = 493), we investigated whether the relationship between conformity to traditional gender norms and denial of LGBTQ+ discrimination might be mediated by antiLGBTQ+ CBs. In Study 2 ( N = 1419), we experimentally manipulated conformity to traditional gender norms and included the emotional response to the manipulation as another significant mediator to investigate the abovementioned relationship further. Through a mediation analysis, we found that anti-LGBTQ+ CBs mediate the positive relationship between conformity to traditional gender norms and denial of LGBTQ+ discrimination. Moreover, we found that confirming participants' adherence to traditional gender norms is associated with lower denial through lower negative emotions and lower anti-LGBTQ+ CBs. Results show how anti-LGBTQ+ CBs may be part of the psychological mechanism explaining how traditional and conservative worldviews might translate as harmful consequences for the LGBTQ+ community. • Traditional worldviews about gender can increase anti-LGBTQ+ conspiracy beliefs (CBs). • Anti-LGBTQ+ CBs mediate between conformity to gender norms and denial of discrimination. • When threatening or confirming perception of conformity, emotions further explain the mediating pattern. • Gender differences emerge in both studies. • Findings imply the important role of anti-LGBTQ+ CBs in discriminating attitudes.