HOMOPHOBIA AND HETEROSEXISM IN SOCIAL-WORKERS

Evidence suggests that social workers may be biased when dealing with gay and lesbian populations. The study discussed in this article attem pted to measure the extent of homophobia and heterosexist bias and the ir correlates in a cohort of 187 social workers using the Index of Att itudes toward Homosexuality, the Attitudes toward Lesbians and Cay Men Scales, and a newly created scale to measure heterosexist bias. We fo und that IO percent of respondents were homophobic and that a majority were heterosexist. Levels of homophobia and heterosexism were negativ ely correlated with amount of social contact with homosexual men and w omen. Religiosity was associated with higher levels of homophobia and heterosexism, and having been in psychotherapy was associated with mor e positive attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. Amount of education on topics related to homosexuality was not correlated with levels of h omophobia and heterosexism.