Gender Gaps in Public Opinion about Lesbians and Gay Men

In: Public opinion quarterly: journal of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Band 66, Heft 1, S. 40-66

Abstract

Gender differences in heterosexual adults' attitudes toward gay men & lesbians were examined in a 1999 national RDD survey (N = 1,335). Survey participants generally were more likely to regard gay men as mentally ill, supported adoption rights for lesbians more than for gay men, & had more negative personal reactions to gay men than to lesbians. Overall, heterosexual women were more supportive than men of employment protection & adoption rights, more willing to extend employee benefits to same-sex couples, & less likely to hold stereotypical beliefs about gay people. Of all respondent-by-target combinations, heterosexual men were the least supportive of recognition of same-sex relationships & adoption rights for gay men, most likely to believe that gay men are mentally ill & molest children, & most negative in their affective reactions to gay men. Heterosexual men's response patterns were affected by item order, indicating possible differences in the mental organization of their attitudes toward gay men vs lesbians. 3 Tables, 3 Figures, 1 Appendix, 49 References. Adapted from the source document.