Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - DP110013
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED340970 AUTHOR: Geller, William W.
TITLE: Attitudes towards Gays and Lesbians: A Longitudinal
Study.
YEAR PUBLISHED: (1991)
NOTE: 19 p.
ABSTRACT: As part of a new student orientation at a rural
northeastern state college, incoming students (N=150) were
surveyed in fall 1989 regarding their knowledge and
attitudes towards homosexuality. Students (N=140) were
surveyed again in April 1991 after four semesters of
educational intervention. The results indicated that new
students were uncomfortable with and lacked knowledge about
homosexuals, with less than half expressing comfort with
particular situations involving most feeling statements.
Greater levels of comfort with homosexual matters and
increased knowledge were reported between the time of the
first survey and the second. One-third or more of the
students were informed and were comfortable with
homosexuals. Two factors, the necessity of dialogue, and
having contact with a homosexual person, emerged from this
study as strategy elements that can make a difference.
Homosexual, lesbian, and bisexual role models are important
in shifting the attitudes of heterosexuals. Based on these
findings and other research it seems reasonable to conclude
that many peoples' feelings can change as they come to know
a homosexual person. (LLL)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Attitude-Change; Higher-Education;
Knowledge-Level; Longitudinal-Studies
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *College-Students; *Homosexuality-;
*Lesbianism-; *Student-Attitudes
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