LGBTQ Students Report More Intense Parasocial Engagement with Media Figures of Diverse Sexual Identities

A survey study shows that LGBTQ students report stronger parasocial bonds with favorite media figures, which is partly explained by increased identity importance and self/other overlap with the media figure. LGBTQ students chose queer/ambiguous media figures more often than heterosexual participants; however, that did not predict strength of parasocial bonds.