There is a long history linking gender role conformity to perceived homosex
uality. However, the lack of a systematic theoretical model hinders the elu
cidation of the interrelationships among gender stereotypes, conformity to
gender stereotypes, and perceived homosexuality, as well as other factors w
hich may mediate these relationships. The purpose of the present study was
to propose such a model by combining theories of gender stereotype formatio
n and maintenance with research investigating perceptions of homosexuality.
Specifically, this study examined college students' perceptions of gender
role characteristics in male and female adult target persons and these stud
ents' perceptions of the likelihood that the targets were homosexual. Path
analysis demonstrated that the sex and occupation of the target person were
significantly related to perceived masculinity, femininity, and homosexual
ity of the target person. Furthermore, individual differences in these rela
tionships were observed, indicating that the sex and Sender role characteri
stics of the participant influenced perceptions of the gender role attribut
es and homosexuality of the target person.