Enacted and Anticipated Stigma Related to Consensual Nonmonogamy Among LGBTQ plus Adults

Consensual nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships (e.g., open relationships) and identities (e.g., polyamorous) are becoming increasingly common, including among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people. However, few studies have examined stigma related to CNM relationships and identities (i.e., CNM-related stigma) in the general population, and even less in LGBTQ+ populations. Additionally, existing studies of CNM-related stigma often do not distinguish between different forms of stigma (e.g., enacted vs. anticipated). To address this gap in the literature, this study sought to examine (a) sociodemographic differences in enacted and anticipated CNM-related stigma and (b) the association between enacted and anticipated stigma among a sample of (N = 1,000) LGBTQ+ people. Using data from a cross-sectional, Internet-based survey, we observed sociodemographic differences in enacted CNM-related stigma by generation status, gender identity, employment, current relationship, and parental status. Differences in anticipated stigma were observed by age, sexual identity, education, CNM identity, current relationship, and marital status. Our findings also reveal a strong association between enacted and anticipated CNM-related stigma. Taken together, these findings suggest that both forms of stigma are commonly experienced among LGBTQ+ people, and that certain LGBTQ+ subgroups may be at heightened risk for such experiences. Indeed, LGBTQ+ subgroups with less social privilege (e.g., people with disabilities) may be particularly vulnerable to CNM-related stigma. It is imperative that health care providers facilitate open and nonjudgmental discussions about relationship diversity and experiences of CNM-related stigma with their LGBTQ+ patients. Additional research in this area is also warranted, given the limitations of the extant literature. Public Significance Statement There is little research regarding the stigma experienced by LGBTQ+ people who are engaged in consensual nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships and/or who identify as CNM. The current study found that anticipated CNM-related stigma affects LGBTQ+ individuals in relation to the intersection of other identities, such as age, sexual identity, and current relationship status, among others. Also, a strong association between enacted and anticipated CNM-related stigma was also found.