Psychological Antecedents of Heterosexuals' Pro-gay Activism Behavior

Abstract

Previous research on heterosexuals' attitudes toward gays is characterized by a focus on negative attitudes and minimal use of behavioral dependent variables. In an attempt to rectify this situation, the present study explored the psychological antecedents of heterosexuals' pro-gay activism behavior in an undergraduate sample using the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991). Findings suggest that intentions predict activism behavior (in the form of signing an online petition supporting the construction of a new lesbian, gay, and bisexual resource center on their campus). In addition, attitudes toward the possible outcomes of the behavior, attitudes toward the behavior itself, and self-identity were found to predict intentions. Directions for future research on pro-gay activism are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• activism
• attitude-behavior relations
• attitudes toward gay men and lesbians
• theory of planned behavior

This article is based on the first author's Master's thesis, for which the second author served as committee chair. We thank the other members of the committee, Chris Parker and John Skowronski, for their assistance throughout the project; Evelyn Comber, Lisa Finkelstein, Daren Protolipac, and Brett Wells for their helpful suggestions on earlier versions of the manuscript; Sara Farrell, Jeremy Heider, and Sarah Wood for their assistance in data collection; and Anne Britt for technological support.