On Tue, 23 Feb 1999, Marie Helweg-Larsen went:
> But I'm not sure about women. Are women also more accepting of
> female as opposed to male homosexuality.
Hmm. On the face of it, it seems unlikely to me--locker-room-style
"stop-looking-at-me" homophobia is probably just as likely in women as
in men. What did you find when you searched the literature, Marie?
What I found was the following abstracts, which suggest an absence of
sex differences in attitudes toward lesbians:
<1>
Author
Baker, Janet G; Fishbein, Harold D.
Title
The development of prejudice towards gays and lesbians by adolescents.
Source
Journal of Homosexuality. Vol 36(1), 1998, 89-100.
Abstract
Studied the development of gay and lesbian prejudice (G/LP) in 276 White,
suburban adolescents in grades 7, 9, and 11. The authors focused on 3
questions: (1) gender and age differences in G/LP; (2) the relationship
between G/LP and individual differences in personality; and (3) the
relationship between G/LP and race prejudice. Ss completed several
measures of (sexual and racial) prejudice and personality. Results
paralleled several major findings with adults: males were more prejudiced
than females; this difference was greater towards gay males than lesbians;
and same-sex prejudice was greater than opposite-sex prejudice. For males
and females, prejudice increased between grades 7 and 9, but from grades 9
to 11 it decreased for females and increased for males. These differences
were explained by the increased vulnerability of males to defensive
reactions in response to the prospect of intimate relationships. None of
the personality measures were significantly correlated with prejudice.
Race prejudice and G/LP were significantly but weakly related.
<2>
Author
LaMar, Lisa; Kite, Mary.
Title
Sex differences in attitudes toward gay men and lesbians: A
multidimensional perspective.
Source
Journal of Sex Research. Vol 35(2), 1998, 189-196.
Abstract
Addressed 4 components of attitudes toward gay men and lesbians:
condemnation/tolerance, morality, contact, and stereotypes. It was
hypothesized that attitudes would vary by component and by the sex of the
person being rated. 270 college students (aged 17-22 yrs) completed a
questionnaire measuring attitudes toward homosexuality. Results indicated
that men (n = 137) held more negative attitudes toward homosexuals than
did women (n = 133) on all factors except stereotypes, and that attitudes
toward gay men were more negative than were attitudes toward lesbians on
all factors. On all subscales except stereotypes, men rated gay men more
negatively than lesbians. Women rated gay men and lesbians similarly on
the condemnation/tolerance subscale and the morality subscale, but rated
lesbians more negatively on the contact subscale. The results confirm that
to understand sex differences in attitudes toward homosexuality fully,
researchers must consider both attitude component and the sex of the
person being rated.
<3>
Author
Matchinsky, Debra J; Iverson, Timothy G.
Title
Homophobia in heterosexual female undergraduates.
Source
Journal of Homosexuality. Vol 31(4), 1996, 123-128.
Abstract
Examined differences between the level of homophobia in psychology majors
vs student with one or no courses in psychology and variables that could
predict degrees of homophobia. 108 heterosexual female undergraduates the
index ofhomophobia scale (W. W. Hudson et al, 1980). An additional
questionnaire examined beliefs and exposure to homosexuality. Analyses
indicated more positive attitudes in Ss working toward a psychology degree
than in those Ss with only 1 course in psychology. A negative correlation
was found between homophobia scores and belief in a biological cause of
homosexuality, and a positive correlation between homophobia scores and
belief in a psychologic cause of homosexuality.
<4>
Author
Simon, Angela.
Title
Some correlates of individuals' attitudes toward lesbians.
Source
Journal of Homosexuality. Vol 29(1), 1995, 89-103.
Abstract
Investigated the relationship between individuals' attitudes toward
lesbians and other attitudes and personal characteristics. 564 students
(17-50 yrs old) completed the Attitudes Toward Lesbians Scale, along with
items assessing interactions with lesbians. Social desirability and gender
role self-concept were also assessed, along with the individuals'
attitudes toward love and sex. Results show that attitudes were not
related to the Ss' sex and gender role self-concept, and positive
attitudes were associated with having positive contact with lesbians,
lesbian friends and contemporary attitudes toward women. More permissive
sexual attitudes were associated with more positive attitudes towards
lesbians.
<5>
Author
Kerns, John G; Fine, Mark A.
Title
The relation between gender and negative attitudes toward gay men and
lesbians: Do gender role attitudes mediate this relation?
Source
Sex Roles. Vol 31(5-6), Sep 1994, 297-307.
Abstract
Examined whether traditional gender role attitudes mediated the relation
between gender and negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. 155
heterosexual undergraduates (59% female) completed questionnaires that
assessed their attitudes toward gay men and lesbians and their gender role
attitudes. Although males reported more negative attitudes toward gay men
than did females, there were no gender differences in attitudes toward
lesbians. Traditional gender role attitudes mediated the relation between
gender and attitudes toward gay men. Results suggest that attitudes toward
gay men are more strongly related to gender role attitudes than to gender.
<6>
Author
Griffin, Pat.
Chapter Title
Homophobia in women's sports: The fear that divides us.
Source
Cohen, Greta L. (Ed); et al. (1993). Women in sport: Issues and
controversies. (pp. 193-203). Newbury Park, CA, USA: Sage Publications,
Inc. xix, 338 pp.
Abstract
Discusses homophobia in women's sports as embedded in the larger context
of a culture that both attaches stigma to homosexuality and has yet to
afford women social equality.
<7>
Author
Eliason, Michele J; Randall, Carla E.
Title
Lesbian phobia in nursing students.
Source
Western Journal of Nursing Research. Vol 13(3), Jun 1991, 363-374.
Abstract
Investigated 120 female undergraduate nursing students' attitudes toward
lesbians, particularly in relation to Ss' age, sex-role identity, and
familiarity with lesbian lifestyles (LLSs). 25 women served as controls.
Ss completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory and questionnaires on demographic
variables, and political issue statements. Ss also judged (1) whether
women in 15 groups were more or less likely to be lesbians and (2) 2
photographs of women labeled lesbians. Lesbian phobia was common among Ss,
and 50% of them indicated that LLSs were not acceptable. 15% of the Ss
felt there should be laws against lesbian sexual behavior. Only 24% were
willing to invite a lesbian to their home. Ss indicated that lesbians
seduced straights and they were a high risk group for AIDS. Suggestions
are given for inclusion of lesbian culture in nursing education.
<8>
Author
Stevenson, Michael R; Gajarsky, Wendy M.
Title
Issues of gender in promoting tolerance for homosexuality.
Source
Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality. Vol 3(2), 1990, 155-163.
Abstract
Investigated the extent to which gender of target and gender of respondent
account for changes in attitudes toward homosexuality that might result
from completing a college-level course in human sexuality. 61 female and
29 male self-defined heterosexual undergraduates enrolled in an
introductory psychology course or a human sexuality course. During the 1st
and last wks of class, all Ss completed a series of attitude measures,
including measures of attitudes toward homosexuality. Females and males
did not differ significantly in attitudes toward lesbians and gay men, but
attitudes toward lesbians were more easily changed than attitudes toward
gay men, regardless of gender of the respondent.
<9>
Author
Newman, Bernie S.
Title
The relative importance of gender role attitudes to male and female
attitudes toward lesbians.
Source
Sex Roles. Vol 21(7-8), Oct 1989, 451-465.
Abstract
Investigated the pattern of predictors for attitudes toward lesbians
(ATLs) in 114 male and 183 female undergraduates. Questionnaires included
the Attitudes Toward Women Scale and a potentiality for fascism scale. For
males, gender role attitudes (GRAs) were the only significant predictor,
while GRAs, parental attitudes, authoritarianism, and educational and
media influences made a contribution to female ATLs. Despite more liberal
GRAs expressed by female respondents, there was no difference between male
and female ATLs. The female respondents' development of ATLs seems to be a
product of a wider array of variables, with GRAs playing a more central
role in the development of male ATLs. Nevertheless, the importance of GRAs
to both male and female ATLs suggests that stratification by sex might be
an underlying variable for both GRAs and ATLs.
