Gender Norms Influence in Sexual Discrimination: Differential Response to Sexual Minority Victims

It has been suggested that sexual discrimination may be in part due to the violation of traditional gender norms that same-sex couples represent (Lehavot & Lambert, 2007). The current studies examine traditional gender norm endorsement (study 1) and salience (study 2) on response to gay and lesbian relationship violence. Findings indicate that greater endorsement of traditional gender norms (study 1) is associated with decreased perceived severity, willingness to intervene and increased victim blame (gay men only) in the sexual minority conditions. Gender norm salience (study 2) led to decreased perceived severity, willingness to intervene and increased victim blame in the gay male condition. Results of both studies suggest that traditional gender norms play a significant role in differential response to gay and lesbian relationship violence