Studies 3A and 3B showed that these associations have consequences: people expressed more prejudice and discrimination toward gay men and lesbian women with STIs versus those with non-STIs or straight counterparts with either disease type. In implicit association tests, both gay men and lesbian women were more associated with promiscuity and STIs than straight counterparts. In Studies 1, 2A and 2B, we found people explicitly associated gay men with promiscuity and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) more than lesbian women or straight men/women. In five studies ( N = 1858), we explored sexual health stereotypes about gay men and lesbian women and their implications in prejudice/discrimination. Stereotypes surrounding sexual health might contribute to these disparities. Gay men and lesbian women face health inequities as well as disparate treatment from healthcare providers.
