HOMOPHOBIA AND PERCEPTIONS OF PEOPLE WITH AIDS

The present research specifically assessed the roles of homophobia, ge nder, means of AIDS transmission, and sexual orientation on attitudes toward people with AIDS. Two hundred participants were asked to read 1 of 8 fictional newspaper articles, each of which described a person w ith AIDS (PWA). PWA descriptions varied in terms of gender, sexual ori entation, and mode of AIDS transmission. Attitudes were measured with a multidimensional experimental questionnaire which assessed disrespec t and blame toward PWAs. Results found that homophobic attitudes are r elated to negative perceptions of PWAs. Additionally, findings support ed the proposition that generally, more negative attitudes toward PWAs are associated with sexual, as opposed to medical transmission. Men w ere significantly more disrespectful and blaming than were women.