The Queer Truth About Rape Myth Acceptance

Amanda Chrismon

With sexual assault becoming a more well-known issue is society, it is important to examine how it impacts all walks of life; all genders, races, and sexual orientations. One thing to be cautious of with this increase in visibility of sexual assault is rape myth acceptance. This study focuses on the relationship between sexual minority identity and the prevalence of rape myth acceptance. Rape myths include ideas and beliefs that sexual assault is the responsibility of the victim and not the perpetrator. This attitude can create more adverse effects on the victims of sexual assault and impact their mental and physical wellbeing. We utilized the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS) to measure the participant’s sexual identity. The scale covers eight facets of one’s identity to sum up how strongly they feel about their identity and how much they identify with their sexual orientation. Overall, participants who identify as straight scored higher on rape myth acceptance than sexual minorities. Of the sexual minority sample, it was found that the aspects of their identity that remained significant at the multivariate level was the dissatisfaction of their LGB+ identity (positive relationship to rape acceptance) and being proud of their identity (negative relationship to rape myth acceptance). Other facets that were significant at the bivariate level include secrecy of identity, dissatisfaction of identity, importance of identity, and how proud they are of their identity. With the lack of material covering the topic of rape myth acceptance in the LGB+ community, this study could be used to raise awareness as well as improve the care and resources that are given to victims of sexual assault.

• Amanda Chrismon is a junior psychology major from Rock Hill, SC. She has two minors in child and family studies and human services. She is also a member of the Honors College, Psi Chi, and Alpha Chi.