Social Distance regarding Male and Female Homosexuals

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Abstract
Four hypotheses were tested by having American undergraduates respond to a Guttman scale of social distance toward male and female homosexuals. Respondents had higher degrees of discomfort toward same-sex homosexuals than toward opposite-sex homosexuals. Results indicated comfort around homosexuals to be negatively associated with the frequency of religious participation and positively associated with having had a friend who was believed to be homosexual. Having been subject to sexual advance did not appear to be related to discomfort regarding homosexuals. Scale scores were compared to levels of agreement with a variety of stereotypic statements. Sex differences regarding social distance toward both male and female homosexuals were examined.