Homopositivity

=**Homopositivity**=

**Background** Stereotypes are generalizations or assumptions that people make about characteristics of any member of a certain group based on an image or fact about what people in that particular group do or are like. Stereotypes against Gay men or Lesbian women have been in existence for just as long as any other stereotype that exists today, but researchers have devoted a considerable amount of attention to understanding beliefs and attitudes towards gays and lesbians and why they form the way they do (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). Stereotypes are usually learned through life depending on who one grows up with or what environment one grows up in. Many stereotypes against gay men or lesbian women have been taught or instilled in one’s mind from parents, teachers, peers, religion and of course, the media (Jay & Young, 1979). Most of the negative stereotypes are a result of homophobia or “fright or negative feelings towards homosexuals”. However while these views and assumptions occur, positive stereotypes also exist can be measured in society as well. **What is the Homopositivity Scale?** The Homopostivity Scale (HPS) is a way of measuring the positive stereotypes that are directed towards the homosexual community and society based on Taylor’s (1983) and Madon’s (1997) research (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). It is essentially a way of understanding how positive stereotypes exist compared to negative stereotypes that also can be measured. In a review of commonly used measures, Schwanberg (1993) identified 39 different instruments designed to examine beliefs/attitudes about gay and/or lesbian individuals (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). Some of these measures included the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (Herek, 1988); the Gayism Scale (Henley & Pincus, 1978); the Heterosexual Attitudes toward Homosexuality Scale (Larsen, Reed, & Hoffman, 1980); the Homosexuality Attitudes Scale (Kite, 1992); and the Index of Attitudes toward Homosexuals (Hudson & Ricketts, 1980). A review of the electronic database, PsycINFO, reveals that, subsequent to Schwanberg’s (1993) article, new instruments have been developed such as the Modern Homonegativity Scale (Morrison & Morrison, 2002) and the Modern Homophobia Scale (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). Most of these measurements gave a common factor, which is, they all emphasize negative beliefs or attitudes towards gay men and lesbian women (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). In a more recent study, Madon (1997) found that stereotype content for homosexuals usually consist of two components. The first one reflected negative stereotypes about gay men which revolved around the assumption that these individuals violate traditional male gender roles. This component consisted of beliefs such as: “Gay men are dainty,” and “Gay men walk like girls” (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). The second component revolves around positive components or characteristics that gay men or lesbian possess which can include views such as gay men are “fashionable”, “good listeners” and “open with their feelings” (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). **Construction and Validation** The purpose of the research and HPS was to construct and validate a scale designed to measure endorsement of positive stereotypes about gay men (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). Early studies examining positive and negative stereotypes distributed four copies of the Personality Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) to 103 adults where the copies had different sexual orientation/ sex combination (e.g., male homosexual, female homosexual), and participants were instructed to “rate each group on the PAQ according to what they thought applied to most members of each group” (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). When the results were in and the positive attributes were focused on alone, it was revealed that participants saw the average gay man as more caring and helpful to others and more likely to express feelings and are more expressive and direct when it comes to feelings and actions in a relationship (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). Further studies and analysis proved and indicated that negative and positive beliefs about gay men appear conceptually distinct, and it was hypothesized that female participants would evidence greater levels of homopositivity than would male participants, which was, in fact, confirmed (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). **Positive Stereotypes**

Results shown from the HPS and also from various other sources such as the media, advertisements, and from surveys, prove that stereotypes against homosexuals can actually be viewed positively and have many positive-related characteristics. The reason positive dimensions of stereotyping may be ignored, is because it is seen as having fewer significant consequences than its negative counterpart (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). The truth is many stereotypes can be taken in a positive fashion as well. For example, the stereotypic beliefs that women are nurturing and compassionate and that African Americans are talented musically and are athletic, clearly reflect positive beliefs about these social targets (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). In the same way, gay men and lesbian women have many qualities, that if looked at from a positive manner, can be quite different and less negative. Assuming prevailing stereotypes hold that gay men are feminine and lesbians are masculine (Kite & Deaux, 1987), then the stereotype maintenance hypothesis provides a solid basis for the prediction that gay men and lesbians who seem to ‘‘ﬁt’’ prevailing stereotypes (e.g., gay men who are fashionable) will be viewed more favorably than those who do not (e.g., gay men who are not fashionable) (Bowen, 2001). Stereotypes that deal with gay men being fashionable can also be taken in a positive way. Designer labels such as “Dolce and Gabbana”, have made use of homoerotic images and style in their advertisements for their products (Jay, 1979). Another stereotype that seems to go around and has increased in talk about gay men is that they are promiscuous and are unwilling or unable to hold long-term relationships (Jay, 1979). However, several surveys of gay men in the United States have shown that between 40 percent and 60 percent are involved in a steady relationship (Jay, 1979).

**Media Contact** It is obvious and also proven that media contact has a great influence and affect on individual’s beliefs about attitudes towards gay and lesbian women (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). For example, Riggle, Ellis, and Crawford (1996) found that exposure to a feature-length documentary, //The Times of Harvey Milk// ,was associated with immediate reductions in homonegativity (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). Three programs were used in a measurement of homonegativity to homopsitivity when shown to viewers: a documentary presenting a favorable picture of gay men and lesbian women (//Straight from the Heart//); a homonegative program designed to increase support for anti-gay ballot initiatives (//Gay Rights, Special Rights//); and a documentary examining the issue of domestic violence (//Defending Our Lives//) (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). Results showed that participants viewing //Straight from the Heart// evidenced more positive attitudes toward gay men and lesbian women in comparison with participants exposed to //Gay Rights, Special Rights// (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). Some popular media such as //Will and Grace, Queer as Folk,// and //Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,// show that regardless of the stereotypes present within the shows, the exposure to such media in fact help raise positive views towards gay men and lesbians, rather then dismantle them, since the shows present, for example, gay men as attractive, witty, and financially comfortable and satisfied (Morrison & Bearden, 2007).

**Study of Negative Stereotypes** Many of the traditional beliefs against homosexuals, go off of temporary concerns as well, many of which include concerns such as gay men and lesbian woman making unnecessary or illegitimate demands for changes, discrimination against gay men and lesbian women seldom occurs and how gay men and lesbian women place too much emphasis on their sexual orientation (Morrison & Bearden, 2007). One of the main reasons for negative outlook on homosexuals though has been since heterosexuals simply believe that gay men and lesbian women are in violation of traditional gender roles and that homosexuals are favored more if they stray from breaking gender roles (Hall, 2009). Research has shown that roughly two-thirds of Americans condemn homosexuality or homosexual behavior since it is considered morally wrong or sinful (Herek, 1991). Research shows that heterosexual’s behavior and attitudes against homosexuals are correlated with psychological, social and demographic variables (Herek, 1991). According to Herek (1991), those with negative attitudes usually are: 1) More likely express traditional, restrictive attitudes about gender-roles  2) Less likely to report having themselves engaged in homosexual behaviors or to self-identify as lesbian or gay 3) More likely to perceive their peers as manifesting negative attitudes  4) Less likely to have had personal contact with gay men or lesbians 5) Likely to be older and less well-educated  6) More likely to have resides in areas where negative attitudes represent the norm 7) More likely to be a conservative religious ideology.

References

Bowen, A. (2001). Attitudes Toward Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual College Students: The Contribution of Pluralistic Ignorance, Dynamic Social Impact, and Contact Theories. //Journal of American College Health//, //50//, 91-96. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from the Heldref Publications database.

 Collis, Clark (August 2002). [|"Dear Superstar: David Bowie"]. //blender.com//(Alpha Media Group Inc). Retrieved 9 April, 2010.

Hall, D. (2009). Attitudes Toward Stereotypical Versus Counterstereotypical Gay Men and Lesbians.. //Journal of Sex Research//, //46//(4), 271-284. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from the EBSCOhost database. Herek, G. (1991). Stigma, Prejudice, and Violence Against Lesbians and Gay Men. //Homosexuality: Research implications for public policy//, //1//, 60- 80. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/spssi_91.pdf Morrison, T., & Bearden, A. (2007). The Construction and Validation of the Homopositivity Scale: An Instrument Measuring Endorsement of Positive Stereotypes About Gay Men.. //Journal of Homosexuality//, //52//(3/4), 63-89. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from the EBSCOhost database.

Jay, Karla; Young, Allen (1979). //The gay report: Lesbians and gay men speak out about sexual experiences and lifestyles//. New York: Summit. [|ISBN] [|0671400134]