Research on preferences for descriptive representation often assumes that representatives are favored primarily due to their membership in specific social groups. This pattern has been well documented for men, women, individuals with higher formal education, and those with a migration background. However, how preferences for descriptive representation manifest among sexual and gender minorities remains unexplored. Likewise, the extent to which voters consider such identity-based characteristics when making electoral decisions is still insufficiently understood.
This study addresses both issues using a novel dataset of 3,116 respondents. We examine how self-identification as male (N=1,655), female (N=1,461), LGB+ (N=286), or trans* (N=130) interacts with the perceived importance of gender and sexual identity, shaping preferences for representation by men, women, LGB+, or trans* individuals.
Our analysis reveals notable gender-based differences. While men and women generally favor female representatives, with women expressing stronger preferences, women rate male representatives less favorably. Regarding LGB+ representation, heterosexual respondents who assign high importance to sexual identity in their voting decisions view sexual minority representatives less positively, while LGB+ respondents consistently express favorable evaluations. Similarly, trans* individuals rate trans* representatives significantly higher than non-trans* respondents, regardless of how important they consider gender and sexual identity.
These findings underscore that sexual and gender minorities tend to view representatives from their own social group more positively, whereas non-minority group members often exhibit reluctance toward their inclusion. This asymmetry becomes particularly pronounced when non-minority voters attribute high significance to identity-based characteristics such as sexual orientation.