Efficacy of Educational Interventions to Reduce Homophobia on the College Campus

Homophobic attitudes, irrational fears and negative attitudes against gay men and lesbians exist on the college campus (Lance, 2002; Rankin, 2003). Educators wishing to change these attitudes need to know what types of intervention would be effective. This investigation empirically assessed the degree of homophobia in a group of college students, and changes in the degree of homophobia following two levels of educational intervention that were rooted in educational theories and social contact theory. A 25-item scale developed by Hudson and Ricketts to measure the degree of negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians was used in English classes at a southeastern university. This study examined the relationship between different demographic groups and the degree of change obtained as a result of the interventions. Findings did not suggest that either interaction with gay men and lesbians in the form of a speaker panel or viewing a “coming out” episode of the Ellen show reduced homophobia to a significant extent. Results did demonstrate the Caribbeans and right wing authoritarians tend to be more homophobic. Post hoc analysis investigated factors that may have contaminated the interventions. Speaker Identification was a significant predictor of change in degree of homophobia.

Elaine Noble, Boston Legislator at Gay Delegates press conference

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Del Martin speaking at lesbian workshop at NOW conference in Washington, D.C.

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Sidney Abbott speaks at lesbian workshop at NOW conference in Washington, D.C.

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Women's March down Fifth Avenue

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Elaine Noble, Boston Legislator at Gay Delegates press conference

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Reverend Ellen Barrett, first lesbian Episcopal Priest, with Reverend Paul Moore

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Reverend Ellen Barrett, first lesbian Episcopal Priest, with Reverend Paul Moore

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Reverend Ellen Barrett

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Boston Legislator Elaine Noble at Gay Delegates press conference

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Professor Bertha Harris

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Sarah Montgomery, mother of gay son, at demonstration

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Gays demonstrate for Civil Rights

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Washington, D.C. Gay march with Washington Monument in background

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Christopher Street March

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