Abstract
Few studies have focused on intragroup variations in sexual orientation and fewer on self-identified heterosexuals with same-sex
attractions, fantasies, and/or behaviors. Self-identified heterosexual students at a large public midwestern university (N = 263) completed measures of sexuality and gender, attitudes toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, religious and
political beliefs, emotional well-being, and demographics. The sample included 82 individuals (31%; labeled “H+”) who endorsed
same-sex attraction, fantasy, and/or behavior and 181 (69%; labeled “H”) who did not. Women were more likely to be categorized
as H+ than men. H+ participants had more positive attitudes toward lesbians and gay and bisexual men and reported more support
for LGB-positive public policies than did H participants. H+ participants reported less literalistic beliefs about religious
scripture than did H participants. H and H+ groups did not differ significantly on measures of emotional well-being. Results
were discussed in the context of recent literature arguing for a more nuanced and gender-differentiated approach toward assessing
sexual orientation, as well as literature on the flexibility of sexual orientation and on heterosexual identity development.
attractions, fantasies, and/or behaviors. Self-identified heterosexual students at a large public midwestern university (N = 263) completed measures of sexuality and gender, attitudes toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, religious and
political beliefs, emotional well-being, and demographics. The sample included 82 individuals (31%; labeled “H+”) who endorsed
same-sex attraction, fantasy, and/or behavior and 181 (69%; labeled “H”) who did not. Women were more likely to be categorized
as H+ than men. H+ participants had more positive attitudes toward lesbians and gay and bisexual men and reported more support
for LGB-positive public policies than did H participants. H+ participants reported less literalistic beliefs about religious
scripture than did H participants. H and H+ groups did not differ significantly on measures of emotional well-being. Results
were discussed in the context of recent literature arguing for a more nuanced and gender-differentiated approach toward assessing
sexual orientation, as well as literature on the flexibility of sexual orientation and on heterosexual identity development.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10508-012-9927-5
- Authors
- Luis F. Morales Knight, Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
- Debra A. Hope, Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
- Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-2800
- Print ISSN 0004-0002