Predictors of Heterosexual College Students’ Attitudes Toward LGBT People

Abstract

This study identifies the predictors of U.S. heterosexual undergraduate and graduate college students’ attitudes toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as a group rather than toward individual identities. Findings suggest that affirming LGBT attitudes are most strongly associated with liberal political ideology and whether one believes in biological causation of transgender identity. Understanding sexual orientation as biological and having LGB friends, LGB immediate family members, and transgender friends are also important, but to a lesser degree. Age, gender, and select races/ethnicities and select religious affiliations are marginally associated with LGBT attitudes. These findings clarify areas to target for improvement in campus climate for LGBT persons, and implications for campus programs and research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Attitudes
• campus climate
• college students
• discrimination
• gender expression
• gender identity
• heterosexual
• sexual minorities

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Center for Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan, and the Curtis Center, School of Social Work, University of Michigan. Thanks to the advisory committee and our research partners. Gratitude also to the anonymous reviewers for their feedback on this manuscript.

Notes

1. In this study the term transgender refers to people whose gender identity, expression, or behavior is different from those typically associated with their assigned sex at birth. This definition was included in the survey instrument.