Evangelical Christian College Students and Attitudes Toward Gay Rights: A California University Sample

Abstract

Research demonstrates that Evangelical Christians generally hold more negative attitudes toward gays and lesbians, and are less supportive of gay rights than the general U.S. population. To assess these attitudes, undergraduate students at an Evangelical Christian university in California (N = 319) completed the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men (ATLG) scale (Herek, 1984, 1998) and other demographic and religiosity items. Results indicated that Evangelical Christian college students who are not homeschooled and know a gay or lesbian friend, relative, or acquaintance held significantly less negative attitudes toward gay rights than those who do not know a gay or lesbian person. Issues related to increasing respectful dialogue between groups are addressed.

KEYWORDS:

• Attitudes toward homosexuality
• college students
• Evangelical Christians
• gay rights
• religiosity
• same-sex marriage

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Michael Ganz, PhD, and Katy Herr, MA, for their help with data collection and thoughtful suggestions. We would also like to thank our faculty advisors, Gary Strauss, EdD, and Keith Edwards, PhD, PhD, for their guidance and mentorship throughout various stages of this project.