Sissies and tomboys : gender role behaviors and homophobia / Robert D. Schope, Michele J. Eliason

R. Schope, M. Eliason

This paper examines whether prejudice by heterosexuals against homosexuals is associated with violations of socially determined gender role behaviors. Respondents were given questionnaires which included either gay-acting or straight-acting vignettes and asked to indicate their attitudes and behaviors in specific situations. While gender role characteristics were found to be an important aspect of negative attitudes and behaviors toward gay men and lesbians, the most important predictor of homophobia is the mere fact that an individual is known to be homosexual.[Copies are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Center. The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, USA]