A recent study from the University of Sydney has shed light on the prevalence of discrimination against effeminate gay men, both in the gay and straight communities. The research, conducted by gender and sexuality researcher Ben Gerrard, found that both gay and heterosexual men prefer masculine gay men for high-status roles, revealing that feminine gay men may face implicit bias in the workplace.
Gerrard’s study, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Sex Roles, was designed to determine the preferred actor for a fake TV ad campaign promoting tourism in Sydney. The ad was meant to feature a spokesman who could be viewed as a “leader” and someone to be “admired” by the audience. A group of 256 gay and straight men were asked to watch the casting videos and identify the best actor for the role.
To test the participants' preferences, Gerrard cast six different men to play both feminine and masculine versions of actors auditioning for the role. The results showed that both gay and straight men preferred the more masculine candidate, with straight men who reported higher levels of "homonegativity" and gay men who reported higher levels of misogyny showing a stronger preference for the masculine gay actor over the feminine gay actor.
The study highlights the ongoing issue of discrimination against effeminate gay men and the importance of addressing implicit biases in the workplace. It serves as a reminder that discrimination can come from all angles, regardless of sexual orientation, and that efforts must be made to create inclusive and accepting environments for all individuals.
