LOS ANGELES – A new study completed by the University of California, Los Angeles' Williams Institute — a UCLA-based think tank that researches sexual orientation, gender identity law and public policy — examined the relationship between prejudice and support for the rights of marginalized groups. The study found that reducing transphobia increases an individual's support for the equality and legal protection of transgender people. Transphobia is defined as an emotional dislike of people whose gender identity or expression differs from what is traditionally associated with their sex assigned at birth.
The study, "Transgender Prejudice Reduction and Opinions on Transgender Rights: Results from a Mediation Analysis on Experimental Data", was published in "Research & Politics" and co-authored by Williams Institute Visiting Scholar Andrew R. Flores along with Donald P. Haider-Markel, Daniel C. Lewis, Patrick R. Miller, Barry L. Tadlock and Jami K. Taylor.
The study also found that exposure to images and information about transgender people helped reduce transphobia.
"These are encouraging findings," said Flores. "As research continues to examine the effects of increased knowledge and depictions of transgender people in mass media, this study further suggests that these developments can have a positive impact on the rights and well-being of transgender people."
The study was conducted in groups. Two groups received written information defining gender identity and images of male and female faces that appeared congruent (group 1) or incongruent (group 2) with their desired gender. Group 3 received only the written information about gender identity and the control group (group 4) got only written information on an unrelated topic.
Then, researchers asked questions to measure participants' levels of transphobia and support for policies that ensure equal treatment of transgender people and policies that offer specific protections, such as use of public restrooms and medical treatment for transgender health issues. All of the exposure groups showed a reduction in transphobia and an increase on both types of policies.
"These findings offer some guidance to people working to change public attitudes toward transgender rights," said Flores. "Reducing transphobia by humanizing transgender people can lead to more accepting attitudes and greater support from the public."
The Williams Institute is "dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research with real-world relevance". More information about The Williams Institute can be found online at williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu.
Study: Greater Visibility Reduces Transphobia, Increases Public Support for Transgender Rights
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