Muslim Students and Attitudes toward Gay Men

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between the socio-demographic variables, religiosity, childhood trauma scale and Gender Equitable Men (GEM) Scale and attitudes toward gays. It was conducted at eight regular classes in Lampung University, Indonesia. A total of 336 Muslim students participated in the study by answering the questionnaires. Results indicate that the socio-demographic variables related to attitudes toward gays are the choice of political parties and the type of region of origin. It also shows that religiosity and childhood trauma scale were not related to attitudes toward gays, while the GEM Scale had a negative correlation with attitudes toward gays. Among the sensitive issues with high resistance among students were legalization of gay marriage, gays in the military, gays in public institutions and the recognition of the rights of gays.