| Title: |
Associations between political orientation and allyship: Evidence from potential allies and their LGBTQ+ close others |
| Authors: |
Haley Bock; Jacqueline M. Chen; Samantha Joel |
| Source: |
Scientific Reports, Vol 16, Iss 1 (2026) |
| Publisher Information: |
Nature Portfolio, 2026. |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
LCC:Medicine; LCC:Science |
| Subject Terms: |
Medicine; Science |
| Description: |
Abstract To support the LGBTQ+ community, many straight, cisgender individuals position themselves as allies to their cause. It is possible that those identifying as liberal may champion LGBTQ+ causes more passionately than those identifying as conservative, though it is also possible that liberals’ self-perceptions do not align with how LGBTQ+ individuals perceive them. In this study, we systematically investigated the relationship between political orientation and allyship to the LGBTQ+ community. We recruited 378 dyads composed of a cisgender, straight individual and an LGBTQ+ close other. Findings suggested that self-perceptions of allyship (from cisgender, straight individuals) were largely consistent with evaluations from LGBTQ+ close others. In line with our expectations, on average, liberals (compared to conservatives) both viewed themselves and were perceived as better allies. However, there was a small but significant tendency for liberals to overestimate their allyship relative to conservatives. In addition, exploratory analyses revealed other-perceived allyship was positively associated with higher interpersonal trust, underscoring allyship’s importance in close relationships. These findings contribute to a growing understanding of the ideological and interpersonal antecedents of allyship and inform strategies for fostering stronger, more authentic relationships with the LGBTQ+ community. The stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on 11/15/2024. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/2Q7W6 . |
| Document Type: |
article |
| File Description: |
electronic resource |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
2045-2322 |
| Relation: |
https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322 |
| DOI: |
10.1038/s41598-026-42213-8 |
| Access URL: |
https://doaj.org/article/b5e8ee3209da4e889ac2ff32e9ddf487 |
| Accession Number: |
edsdoj.b5e8ee3209da4e889ac2ff32e9ddf487 |
| Database: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |