The document summarizes an interview conducted by Kylie Bass, a lesbian female, with a heterosexual male. Key points discussed include: - Their differing experiences of sexual orientation identity based on gender and societal norms. - The male felt his identity was accepted while Bass faced rejection from her family due to her sexuality. - They recognize the privileges afforded to heterosexual males versus the barriers faced by women and LGBTQ individuals. - The interview helped Bass gain insight into implicit biases around gender roles and sexual orientation preferences.

1. Running head: SOCIAL IDENTITY AND IMPLICIT BIAS 1
Social Identity and Implicit Bias
Kylie Bass
University of Georgia

2. SOCIAL IDENTITY 2
Introduction
It is evident to me that everyone is unique and has certain qualities and characteristics
about them that reflects who they are. My social identity is a lesbian female, and I am a unique
person just as everyone else is. Though I feel that way, not everyone is quite as understanding
and accepting. I am a person who has values and morals and abide by the old saying that you
should treat others how you would want to be treated. It is often not the same for others I
encounter based on my sexual orientation and female qualities. The person I interviewed helped
give me insight as to what it is like to be on the opposing side of the spectrum as a heterosexual
male, and the perception one has within the dominant group. Prior to the interview I read the
interviewee the consent form and through his participation and completion of the interview met
the requirements of the assignment for implied consent.
1. Social Identity
The person I interviewed identified himself as a heterosexual male, whereas I identify as
a lesbian female. We spoke in depth about our differing sexual orientations before addressing our
gender differences. Sexual orientation is something that I have struggled with for quite some
time. I first began to suspect I was not attracted to the opposite sex as I entered eighth grade, but
was always told that being gay was wrong. Religious beliefs were always centered around the
negative comments regarding different sexual orientations. I was shunned and punished by my
family, and was forced to read the Bible each night to understand my wrong doing in their eyes.
In contrast, the interviewee described his sexual orientation as very simple for him. His parents
approved of his decisions and were very accepting of his personal dating life and attraction to the
opposite sex. He went on dates whenever and wherever, and publicly display affection such as
handholding, hugging, and kissing without judgement of others. It was not difficult for him to

3. SOCIAL IDENTITY 3
understand that he was heterosexual because it was normal to him and others to be straight. In
contrast, it took me a significant amount of time to process and feel comfortable with my
sexuality and reach identity achievement. In part, due to all the turmoil it caused with my family,
and the ongoing battle for equality in the United States regarding marriage rights, adoption, and
several other rights and advantages granted to heterosexual individuals. He could not understand
how someone’s parents could fail to accept their own child and feel so negatively because of
what makes them happy. Little did he know the differences of being in the subordinate rather
than the dominant group.
I took an economics class in high school where I first heard the metaphor of a glass
ceiling existing in the United States. I was puzzled because it originated by Feminists who
recognized certain barriers that women were presented with in career fields and the job market.
Being a female meant that I was susceptible to this notion of a glass ceiling, but growing up as a
child I was taught that things were in place like that for a reason. At the time, I presumed the
reasoning was justified and had intent for well-being of all. That females did have certain
responsibilities and threats and males had differing ones, but that was how it was supposed to be.
As I got older I came to realize that gender differences between males and females embodied
much more on a personal and professional level.
2. Social Identity: Positives and Negatives
The way in which I socially identify versus how the interviewee identifies has painted
very different pictures for how our lives operate. We both live in the same world but are treated
completely different based upon gender and sexual orientation. Group privilege is evident
throughout the interview because the interviewee is accustomed to having access to numerous
job opportunities, quality salary, marriage, adoptions, and other freedoms. That is not true for

4. SOCIAL IDENTITY 4
many women and other minorities such as myself. The gender bias assessment I completed
helped me to become aware of how I saw myself compared to males and the ways in which this
bias originated. When regarding perception of my social identities, I would say that it is very
positive. I have learned to be comfortable in my own skin, despite societies differing beliefs. I
have adapted to certain people who view my sexuality as disgraceful by becoming a strong and
confident woman. Many believe that those in the LGBTQ community should not have the same
rights as heterosexual individuals. It is often said that marriage is only meant between a man and
woman, but I do not agree. I believe that one’s happiness with a person trumps those beliefs, and
regardless if society agrees upon that should learn to coexist.
The life of a heterosexual male described by my interviewee was very positive and
enriched with happiness. He views his social identities as healthy because he is a young working
male striving to further his education while serving the United States Air Force to eventually use
his wealth and resources to make a positive impact among others. He talked about how evident it
is that females are not granted the same opportunity in the work force, and when choosing to
enter a military branch. The picture may be painted by the president and news stations better than
the reality of it. He is confident that society views his social identities as a heterosexual male to
be positive and successful. He believes that is strength and knowledge set him up for success for
whatever endeavors he takes on in life. In comparison, I feel the same way but cannot ignore the
fact that equal opportunity between us does not exist. The psychical appearance and belief that
most females are weaker and more emotional, which hinder their working ability. The
interviewee believed that it is an untrue belief that females cannot work in such demanding
environments, but that the invisible glass ceiling prevents and withholds the opportunity for
women.

5. SOCIAL IDENTITY 5
3. Social Identity: Situational Variations
The social behavior I possess is often reflective of those around me which impacts the
way in which I behave. The heterosexual male I interviewed felt as if his behavior did not
change because of his identity and those around him. He described ways in which he acts in
accordance to his social identity despite the social conditions. For example, he feels as safe
walking down the street at night as he does in the middle of a lighted area with people. As a
female, I cannot say the same thing because I feel vulnerable at night walking alone. That I am
viewed as weak and that makes me targeted by males. The thoughts of sexual assault, robbery,
and rape all cross my mind whereas the interviewee admits to never feeling those concerns. I am
likely to conduct myself in ways that reflect my social identities when I am around my softball
teammates and people I am comfortable with who do not judge me. In religious settings, I feel
like my behavior changes because I feel like an outcast. Internal feelings of anger and frustration
impact my behavior because of the way in which others portray who I am. The interviewee
insisted on remaining what he called true to himself by not changing his behavior based on
situational variations.
4. Social identity: Threats
There are several threats that many of us face each day, but minorities and subordinates
are an even greater risk. Threats that exist in my life as a lesbian female are challenges to adopt
children, discrimination in public whether that be at a restaurant or in the job market. As a
female, I feel threatened in situations such as in parking decks at night leaving campus, or
walking home after a nightly jog around the neighborhood. It is far too often now that I see on
the news young woman being attacked or abducted at night by themselves. I feel threatened
based on my sexual orientation because of the hate regarding homosexuals by some people

6. SOCIAL IDENTITY 6
within society. The shooting at the night club in Orlando made me open my eyes and understand
that not everyone is accepting and understanding. Equality does not exist for all, and some will
go to extremes to show that. Comparatively, the interviewee discussed how he feels no real
threat from others from a physical standpoint. Threats for him arise when his social identity is
confronted in a setting or scenario to where a stereotype or negative emotion are projected on
him. The main difference between the threats we feel is that I at times fear for my life whether it
be because I am a female or because certain groups of people hate me because I am homosexual.
5. Social Identity: Influencing Interactions
As a female, I am often viewed as weaker, and combined with my sexual orientation it
accumulates to where I feel exiled by members of society including Government level officials
and policies being implemented by our own president. I am expected by society to be a
heterosexual female who has a husband that works and provides for the family, but that is not
how I choose to live my life. When looking at macro and micro scale, my social identity greatly
influences my interactions with others. On the macro level the dominant group works to ensure
that minorities and subordinates remain at a disadvantage Others who do not agree or want to
accept that make it difficult to interact and have relationships in job settings and such as that. The
micro level issues presented are everyday situations such as walking down the sidewalk holding
my partners hand. The judgement and dirty looks that accompany the behavior impact the way I
interact and behave with those individuals. The interviewee agreed that it is more difficult for
those of differing sexual orientations face more hardships and adversity with simple everyday
interactions with others. The unfairness presented by simply choosing to be with someone of the
same sex. I feel obligated to hide who I am at times to resolve the tension and unease with family
members and strangers around me who do not agree with my sexuality. In contrast, the main

7. SOCIAL IDENTITY 7
influencing factor of the interviewee’s interactions stemmed from socioeconomic status and the
expectations based on that.
6. Social Identity: Taken for Granted
I think that each person has a different story and characteristics that make up who they
are. Our own personal experiences and histories make us unique and our social identity is a
crucial part of that. I certainly do not take that for granted, because I know that I am the person I
am for a reason. I’m happy with myself and the life I live. My gender nor sexual orientation
define me in a negative way. The process I went through to be comfortable and happy in my own
skin is something that has made me a stronger and more confident woman. That is something I
will always cherish and be thankful for despite all the hardships that have accompanied me along
the way. The interviewee felt the same way about his social identities in that no way, shape, or
form does he take them for granted. He is aware that he is considered part of the dominant group,
and does not take that for granted but also has feelings of guilt because he realizes it is unfair to
oppress and discriminate. We discussed how important it is to acknowledge and understand each
other’s differences to peacefully coexist as one. That will ensure equality and freedom for all
regardless of dominant and subordinate classifications.
Interview Insight: Implicit Bias
I completed the Gender Career and Sexual Orientation Implicit Bias Assessments in
which the results gave me insight and revealed possible biases I did not know existed. Following
completion of the assessments, I read “The Complexity of Identity” by Beverly Tatum. The
article allowed me to become more aware on the issue of equality and freedom and how the
uniqueness of every person should not alter our ability to coexist peacefully. I felt like prior to
taking the assessment that I did not have automatic associations for male and female roles or

8. SOCIAL IDENTITY 8
preference in straight or gay individuals. I believe the results did not fully represent my beliefs
and views of gender associations or sexual orientation preference. I believe this because I feel
like people do not have to be automatically associated with one thing or another based upon
certain characteristics. People are people and beliefs about one another should be centered
around equality and understanding that we are all unique beings doing the best we can.
The gender associations bias assessment revealed I associate females with family and
males with careers. I align with both dominant and subordinate groups, because of the societal
norms and dominant group ideals surrounding expectations of males and females. I acknowledge
the bias result but feel it is associated with the dominant ideals forced onto me and several others
from childhood. I developed this bias at an early age, because like in most family’s girls are
dressed in pink and taught they are to cook and take care of household chores while the male
works. As a child, it was the expectation to be inside learning to cook along with different tasks
associated with cleaning the house and washing clothes. I was not aware of this bias, but I was
aware that this is how many believe the family household should operate. The mother cares for
children and teaches the daughter such ways, and the child then models that behavior. At times, I
even challenged that in my thinking, but still have the bias towards females and family and males
with jobs. I hope to shift my thinking and that other females in today’s world grow up without as
many expectations of proper behavior. For me, having a same-sex partner helps alleviate the
expectation of gender roles within the relationship. There is more shared responsibility amongst
family roles and career.
The bias assessment ruled that I prefer gay people over straight people. I suppose that
this bias is a result of the community and family system I was raised in. My parents frowned
upon differing sexual orientation, so I chose to surround myself with the few people who would

9. SOCIAL IDENTITY 9
accept my lifestyle. I was not accepted in my school or social settings in town which lead to
negative feelings regarding family and peers whom are heterosexual. I do consider myself part of
the subordinate group concerning my sexual orientation. I was somewhat aware this bias existed
because of experiences I have had with heterosexual individuals of the dominant group. I grew
up in a small southern town where there were very few homosexual individuals, and those who
were maintained secrecy because of the dominant groups beliefs that anything other than
heterosexual was deemed as inappropriate and wrong. I made the decision to keep my
relationships private to keep my family happy. It has significantly impacted my social
interactions, because I feel uncomfortable and shunned in situations such as holiday gatherings
and dating scenes. My sense of self has been strongly influenced by those around me which has
altered my satisfaction of life and the feeling of belonging. This created the bias I possess. I feel
that people are people regardless of sexual orientation, but I tend to be more comfortable around
other LGBTQ individuals.
Reflection
Social identity is something that many of us struggle with. How we identify may not be
difficult to determine, but the ways in which it is perceived and acted upon leave a monumental
mark on our lives. Throughout my interview I came to the realization that even if I do not act in
such a way to discriminate or oppress others, in some way we all take responsibility for the lack
of communication and comprehension of all. I contemplated and reflected upon the idea that we
should not only fight for the freedom and equality for our own social identity, but also for those
around us. It is paramount that we resolve the underlying concerns that continue to divide groups
of people, and resulting in violence and inequity.

10. SOCIAL IDENTITY 10
The interviewee and I have different perceptions on how we live our lives, but did agree
upon one thing. We are all distinct and that should not result in discrimination and bias. My
gender and sexual orientation should not be the reasoning behind lack of opportunity and rights
granted to me. The same applies for the heterosexual male I interviewed. Imagine living in a
world where we can all be ourselves without predisposition and judgement of others. A world
where I can marry my same sex partner and adopt a child without restriction based on how I
identify. A new light where equality shines brighter than any existing bias, oppression, or
discrimination.
Interview Date: August 22, 2018
Start/Stop Time: 8:00p.m.-9:15p.m via FaceTime
Notes:
 Heterosexual adolescent male: works at UPS and will soon enter US Air Force
 Conservative and liberal beliefs
 Belief of equality and allowing same sex couples to marry, adopt, etc.
 Understanding of dominant vs subordinate: views himself as a dominant for both
identities
 Glass ceiling belief and understanding: examples of this at UPS and within the system
 Viewpoint that women are weaken and more susceptible to emotional distress
 ^may influence work opportunity
 Inequity surrounding females and homosexual couples
 Threats often do NOT apply to his physical well-being but dependent on stereotyping
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