Reclaimed Hate Speech Backfires by Desensitizing Listeners, Study Finds

Source: PsyPostReclaimed derogatory language is often seen as an empowering tool for marginalized groups to take back control of harmful words. However, new research published in the European Journal of Social Psychology suggests that listening to reclaimed homophobic statements can actually cause unintended harm. The studies found that exposure to reclaimed slur words desensitizes some heterosexual listeners to standard hate speech and worsens the mood of gay...