Tolerance of Homosexuality in South American Countries: A Multilevel Analysis of Related Individual and Sociocultural Factors

Abstract

Objectives: This study examines the effect of some factors at individual and aggregated level on tolerance of homosexuality (TOH) in some South American countries. Method: The study performs a multilevel analysis of individual and sociocultural factors related to TOH. Results: Belonging to a religion and the importance it acquires are negative predictors of higher TOH. In addition, people living in more postmaterialistic countries show stronger TOH. However, people who give more importance to religion in more postmaterialistic countries reject homosexuality even more intensively. Conclusions: Socioeconomic development is closely related to religious people's tolerance of homosexuality in South American countries.

Keywords:

• Homosexuality
• attitudes
• tolerance
• religion
• sexual minority
• postmaterialism

Disclosure statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.