Gay and lesbian disclosure and heterosexual identity threat: The role of heterosexual identity commitment in shaping de-stigmatization

•Gay and lesbian employees can disclose to de-stigmatize their sexual identity.•Heterosexual employees play key role in gay and lesbian de-stigmatizing efforts.•Heterosexual employees threatened by disclosure derogate gay and lesbian identities.•Commitment to a personally fulfilling heterosexual identity buffers against threat.