Heterosexism in Context: Qualitative Interaction Effects of Co-Cultural Responses

Abstract

This qualitative content analysis explores how lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals respond to acts of heterosexism in a variety of contexts. This study examines 96 stories of sexual discrimination using a co-cultural theoretical frame of analysis. Specifically, the focus is on identifying the co-cultural communication orientations and practices that are enacted to discern if these strategies vary based on the situational context and type of relationship between interactants. Following are directions for future research in terms of co-cultural theory, contextual and relational situations, and environmental scanning.

KEYTERMS:

• co-cultural theory
• discrimination
• heterosexism
• LBG persons
• sexual prejudice

Notes

^a Within the collected stories, 23 of 96 individuals described enacting more than one communication orientation and cocultural practice. As such, the content analysis counted each orientation and practice separately.

Of the sample size being reviewed, 58% of the participants were male (n = 56) and 42% were female (n = 40). In this sample, 54% of the participants self-identified as White or Caucasian, 23% as Hispanic, 8% as Black or African American, 7% as Asian or Asian American, and 7% as Other.