Drawing on an extension of terror management theory, this study examines whether positive death valence might faciliate radical, intersectional interventions in homophobic prejudice. Prior research showed that a more positive view on one's own mortality in wave 1 was associated with less stereotypes about sex, gender and desire in wave 2. The present online study explores whether positive death valence reduces homonegativity. Using reaction time tests and surveys, 77 out of 191 US participants continued from wave 1, assessing death attitudes, to wave 2, assessing homonegativity. Consistent with the prediction, participants who viewed death more positively exhibited significantly less homophobic prejudice. By contrast, survey measures revealed no association between death valence and homonegativity. Future research should incorporate further assesment methods, cross-cultural samples and additional dimensions of prejudice to better understand the role of positive death valence for anti-discriminatory interventions.
