LGB+ identification and donations to Hurricane Irma victims: The role of empathy |
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Authors: | Eugene Y Chan |
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Institution: | Division of Consumer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA |
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Abstract: | Extant literature finds that discrimination promotes empathy towards other people in similar predicaments. We propose that discrimination increases empathy more generally—namely, LGB+ individuals, because of their experience with discrimination in society, which promotes empathy, are more charitable than heterosexual individuals. We recruited 5,131 American respondents of whom 378 identified as LGB+. LGB+ -identifying respondents scored higher on empathy, increasing their monetary donations to victims of Hurricane Irma, relative to heterosexual respondents. Importantly, greater experience with discrimination enhanced LGB+ respondents' empathy and charity. We situate our results within literature that has studied the charitable behaviors of LGB+ individuals. We acknowledge limitations to our study and suggest ideas for further research. |
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