Examining Selective Migration as Attitudinal Fit versus Gay Migration

Gay migration is a popular culture notion that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people move from places that are not gay-friendly to places that are gay-friendly. Such migration may reflect person-environment fit, and it may be comparable to other types of person-environment fit that may rely on attitudes. The present research examines psychological mechanisms underlying LGB and straight people’s migration in search of fit, based on sexual orientation, sexuality attitudes, and contextual cues to gay friendliness. In Study 1, we leveraged a very large, ecologically valid internet sample to examine real-world migration, and in Study 2, we experimentally manipulated gay culture to examine desire to migrate. Both studies provide evidence for person-environment fit moderated by sexual orientation: LGB people largely migrated to gay-friendly places regardless of their own sexuality attitudes, whereas straight people migrated to places that matched their sexuality attitudes. We discuss the implications of these findings for LGB people’s health and well-being, demonstrating the importance of fostering gay culture as it relates to fit and belonging among LGB people.