Bridging the gap: The effects of intergroup contact on emotions and LGBTIQ+ history knowledge among cisgender heterosexual individuals

Research has shown that intergroup contact between cisgender, heterosexual and LGBTIQ+ individuals is associated with a deeper understanding of struggles around LGBTIQ+ experiences. Individuals with LGBTIQ+ identifying friends are more likely to report higher levels of allyship, engage in LGBTIQ+-affirming behaviors, hold positive attitudes toward LGBTIQ+ individuals, and have increased sensitivity to LGBTIQ+ perspectives. These data come from a survey examining LGBTIQ+ historical trauma, including students of all sexual and gender identities at the University of Montana and University of Nevada-Reno (n=462). These analyses examine factors related to one’s understanding of LGBTIQ+ experiences, hypothesizing that greater numbers of LGBTIQ+ individuals in someone’s social circle are associated with greater knowledge of and heightened emotional reactions to LGBTIQ+ historical trauma. For cisgender, heterosexual participants, there was a significant positive relationship between the number of LGBTIQ+ individuals in one’s social circle and their history knowledge, F(3,311) = 12.218, p < .001. Participants with any LGBTIQ+ individuals in their social circle were more likely to experience negative emotions in response to thinking about instances of LGBTIQ+ oppression and trauma, F(3,310) = 9.653, p < .001. For all students, regardless of identity, levels of historical knowledge and negative emotional experiences related to LGBTIQ+ historical events were significantly correlated, r(451) =.355, p < .001. These results emphasize the importance of intergroup contact in increasing understanding of and reactions to the LGBTIQ+ experience. To utilize these findings, results from this study should be considered in how to best increase intergroup contact among cisgender, heterosexual and LGBTIQ+ individuals.