Citation

Callahan MP, Zukowski KT. J. Homosex. 2019; 66(1): 117-138.

Affiliation

a Department of Psychology , Sonoma State University , Rohnert Park , California , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00918369.2017.1395661

PMID

29058536

Abstract

This study examined reactions to transgender people in public restrooms. Participants (n = 158) completed measures of essentialism and trait aggression and read scenarios where they imagined sharing a restroom with a transwoman or a transman. Participants indicated which restroom targets should use and rated potential negative reactions.

RESULTS indicate that targets were assigned to restrooms corresponding to birth sex rather than chosen identity. Women's reactions to transgender women were more negative than men's; men were more negative in reactions toward transmen. Essentialism predicted some (but not all) reactions for all participants. Among women, trait aggression predicted negative reactions, but only to transmen. Among men, aggression predicted negative reactions, but only toward transwomen. This suggests that despite views that transgender people belong in birth-sex restrooms, men and women's trait aggression predicts negative reactions toward them in such instances.

Language: en

Keywords

Transgender prejudice; aggression; discrimination; essentialism; genderism; restroom; transphobia