Social Work Educators’ Attitudes Toward Gay Men and Lesbians: A National Assessment

Abstract

A sample of 927 U.S. social work educators expressed limited negative attitudes toward lesbians and slightly more negative attitudes toward gay men in this cross-sectional, national study using standardized survey instruments with proven psychometric properties. Faculty most likely to express negative attitudes toward lesbians included those employed at a religiously affiliated university (whether sectarian or non-sectarian), identifying as African-American and male, working in an urban or suburban setting (rather than a rural one), and having probationary tenure-track status. These individual and institutional characteristics accounted for 7.8% of the variance in social work educators’ negative attitudes toward lesbians. Faculty most likely to express negative attitudes toward gay men included those identifying as African-American, employed at a religiously affiliated university, identifying as heterosexual and male. These variables explained 12.4% of the variance in social work educators’ negative attitudes toward gay men. Implications for social work education are addressed and suggestions generated regarding how social work educators and their educational programs can ensure that they are preparing competent, unbiased practitioners who can advance social justice and reduce oppression among gay and lesbian clients.

KEYWORDS:

• social work education
• gay men
• lesbians
• faculty attitudes

Notes

1. The authors recognize that these issues impact those who identify with any components of the lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, and questioning (LBGTQ) continuum of sexual and gender orientation and acknowledge that this study addresses lesbians and gay men only.

2. The four statements solicited attitudes about the following items: gay marriage; nonheterosexual relationships; support for a friend who self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual; and the prevalence of discrimination experienced by transgendered individuals.