Positive regard for difference without identity

This chapter will question whether the aims and premises of contact theory are still useful in the context of increasingly subtle and systemic biases and inequalities, and whether and how it might be usefully extended to relations between more complex identities than simple, predefined oppositional 'in' and 'out' groups. To do so, it considers some examples of intergroup othering using case studies pertaining to backlashes against gender, sexual and ethnic diversity in the contemporary Australian context. The first is the backlash experienced by Indigenous Australian footballer Adam Goodes in the context of Anglocentric 'multicultural' society. The second case illustrates the subtle sexism or othering experienced by female members of parliament in the masculinist context of Australian government. Finally, the limits of the contact hypothesis will be considered through the backlash against the Safe Schools Coalition, a whole-school programme designed to foster affirmative attitudes and environments for sexuality- or gender-diverse students in schools that are heterocentric and cisgenderist. In particular, this programme goes beyond tolerance and minority politics, aiming for affirmation for the chosen identities of young people, including the multiplicity of gender and sexuality subject positions that young people now identify with, outside of the binaries (Smith et al. 2014). All of these phenomena have experienced substantial critique and backlash from majority groups and are illustrative of pushback that occurs when 'in' groups are required to go beyond tolerance of clearly defined minority 'out' groups, having their perspectives decentred and being expected to change behaviour, and are useful for considering intergroup ethics.