LGBTQ Demographic Increases, Threat, and Backlash

LGBTQ individuals have increased in number in the United States, but do heterosexualindividuals feel threatened by these changes? I examined whether demographic increasesof a group traditionally associated with symbolic threat (the LGBTQ community)increased realistic threat, symbolic threat, and/or prejudice. I demonstrated in a PilotStudy that demographic increases of LGBTQ individuals elicited symbolic threat andrealistic threat, which in turn predicted anti-LGBTQ prejudice. Study 1 (preregistered)replicated the symbolic threat effect, but the realistic threat effect did not emerge. Study 2demonstrated that growth of LGBT individuals (and not just LGBTQ individuals beingmentioned) elicits this threat. Study 3 found no differences between current increases inthe LGBTQ community and hypothetical future increases in the LGBTQ communityeliciting threat. Finally, Studies 4a-4b tested brief interventions designed to assuagethreat from these demographic changes, but found no significant differences on threat,prejudice, or support for anti-LGBTQ legislation. However, Christian Nationalism andheteronormativity beliefs moderated the condition-prejudice relationship across Studies3-4b. Theoretical implications about demographic shift research and practicalimplications for designing demographics-based interventions are discussed.