The victim-blaming tendency toward people with AIDS was examined in relatio
n to gender, fraternity-sorority affiliation, classification (freshmen vs.
others), religion (Catholic vs. others), and academic major (business colle
ge vs, others) in a survey of 818 students at a midwestern state university
in the United States. Desired social distance from gay men and lesbians, t
he intervening variable in these relations, significantly mediated the indi
rect effect of fraternity-sorority affiliation, classification, and gender
on the victim-blaming tendency. Gender and desired social distance were fou
nd to be significant direct determinants of the victim-blaming tendency tow
ard people with AIDS. The study suggests that attitudes toward gay men and
lesbians must change if attitudes toward people with AIDS are to change.