Motivation Matters in Homophobic Language Reclamation: Effects on Collective Action Intentions and Self-Esteem Among Gay Individuals.

Language reclamation is often treated as a monolith, yet gay people reclaim homophobic labels for distinct reasons. We investigated the relationships of three motivations to reclaim language-regaining control, consolidating ingroup relationships, and humor-with collective action intentions to support the gay community and self-esteem among gay people, as well as whether ingroup identification mediates these links. In a three-wave longitudinal study with one-month intervals (Nt1 = 950; nt2 = 637; nt3 = 485), we found that regaining control and consolidating relationships as motivations to reclaim homophobic language predicted stronger identification with gay people, which, in turn, was associated with greater intentions to engage in collective action and higher positive self-esteem. Instead, reclaiming language for humorous purposes predicted weaker identification, which was associated with lower collective action intentions and lower positive self-esteem. Our findings indicate that the correlates of reclamation depend on why language is reclaimed. Reclaiming language to regain control and, primarily, reclaiming language to consolidate relationships are associated with benefits that humor-based motivation is not. Therefore, our research provides information on which forms of language reclamation may be more effective for the emancipation of the gay community and its members.