When Love Conquers Hate: Exploring the Interplay between LGBTQ+ Relationships and Prejudice
Grace Handley 
LGBTQ+ couples continue to be subjected to longstanding prejudice that can negatively impact their relationships. Despite this prejudice, many LGBTQ+ relationships are thriving and demonstrate a unique resilience that contributes to the success of their relationships. Moreover, according to intergroup contact theory (Allport, Citation1954), their relationships can reduce the prejudice of others. Examining this possibility, we conducted interviews with three self-identified LGBTQ+ couples (n = 6) to offer a deep insight of LGBTQ+ couples’ lived experience of prejudice and how their relationship helps combat prejudice. Thematic analyses revealed four themes. Participants reported feeling social support and acceptance from families of origin that helped protect them from potential prejudice. (mis)Perceptions of prejudice revealed that participants often denied or minimized seemingly prejudicial experiences. In coping with prejudice as a couple, participants identified that having strong relationships, with good communication and humor made them resilient to prejudice. Participants also reflected that their relationships were catalysts for positive change by improving LGBTQ+ attitudes of their friends and families. These unique insights from LGBTQ+ individuals highlight the barriers that LGBTQ+ relationships continue to face, as well as their resilient nature that enables them to cope with prejudice and reduce the prejudice of others.
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