Effects of Interaction Experiences and Undergraduate Coursework on Attitudes Toward Gay and Lesbian Issues

Abstract

College experiences can expand knowledge, decrease negative stereotypes, and increase acceptance toward diversity, especially regarding gay and lesbian issues. This study found that the more interaction undergraduate students have with gay and lesbian people on campus, the more accepting their attitudes are regarding (1) same-sex, consensual sex, (2) same-sex relations between adults is not unnatural, (3) vote for a gay presidential candidate, (4) friends with a feminine man, (5) friends with a masculine woman, (6) knowledge of GL issues important for future career, and (7) comfortable with GL roommate. Furthermore, the more undergraduate students are exposed to coursework addressing gay and lesbian issues, the more positive their attitudes are regarding the importance of knowledge of gay/lesbian issues for future career and comfort with a gay/lesbian roommate. Discussion explores possible long-term implications of systematic interaction experiences and coursework at all levels within the educational system to prevent negative attitude formation.

Do All Black Lives Matter Equally to Black People? Respectability Politics and the Limitations of Linked Fate

“…3 Moreover, we are cognizant that one's membership in various groups likely determines how one feels about that group (Tajfel and Turner 1986). Relatedly, research shows that having sustained interactions with lesbian and gay individuals liberalize individuals' attitudes toward members of this group (Sevecke et al 2015). Consequently, we control for respondents' group membership or close relationship to members of marginalized groups.…”

A retrospective of LGBT issues on US college campuses: 1990–2020

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Interfaith Experiences and Their Relationship with Heterosexual Collegians’ Attitudes Toward Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People

“…As evidenced by other studies of coursework (e.g., Chonody, Rutledge, & Siebert, 2009;Kwon & Hugelshofer, 2012;Sevecke, Rhymer, Almazan, & Jacob, 2015), classroom exposure to queer-spectrum people and topics appears to have positive implications for collegians' attitudes toward members of the queer-spectrum community. Likewise, research illustrates the value of classroom interventions aimed at minimizing homophobia (e.g., Bartos & Hegarty, 2019;Nelson & Krieger, 1997), although other studies reveal such strategies are not always effective (e.g., Bartos & Hegarty, 2019;Cotten-Huston & Waite, 2000).…”