University Study Finds Gender and Sexual Identity Differences in Openness to Interracial Dating

A new study by researchers at the University of Massachusetts and the University of Texas finds White straight males and White lesbians are more open to interracial dating than White gay men and White straight women. The researchers analyzed data from more than 9 million registered users of one of the largest online dating services.

The study found that same-race preferences are strong among all groups. But it found that White straight men and White lesbians were far more likely to consider dating people of another race than was the case with White gay men and White straight women.

All four White groups are most likely to contact or respond to other White daters,” says Jennifer Lundquist, an associate professor of sociology and associate dean of faculty development at the University of Massachusetts and a co-author of the study. “However, when interactions do occur with non-White daters, it is initiated most often by straight White men and White lesbians.”

“Stated another way,” the authors write, “minority men are avoided by White daters, regardless of their sexual identity, while minority women fare considerably better.”

Dr. Lundquist is a graduate of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in sociology and demography from the University of Pennsylvania.

The article “Is Love (Color) Blind? The Economy of Race Among Gay and Straight Daters,” was published on the website of the journal Social Forces. It may be accessed here.