Acquaintance with LGBTQI + People is Not Enough: Attitudes toward Same Sex Parents in Australia

Abstract

Although social acceptance of same sex parenting in Australia has improved, prejudice toward same sex parented families still exists. Using the contact hypothesis as a theoretical framework, the aim of this mixed methods study was to investigate the influence that personal contact with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) people has on attitudes toward same sex parented families. A sample of Australian adults (n = 210) volunteered to participate in an online survey. Multiple regression analyses were used to investigate how number of LGBTQI + acquaintances, frequency of contact and closeness with LGBTQI + individuals impacted beliefs about same sex parenting and children’s adjustment in same sex parented families. Results indicated that frequency and degree of contact with LGBTQI + individuals (but not number of acquaintances) were associated with positive attitudes toward same sex parenting. This novel finding indicates that close relationships (rather than simple acquaintance) with LGBTQI + individuals may be required to reduce prejudice toward same sex parented families.