Sex-linked carrying styles and the attribution of homosexuality

We used pairs of slides showing 3 women and 3 men displaying 2 sex-linked c arrying styles to examine differences in the attribution of homosexuality a s a consequence of behavioral displays that are either sex typical or sex a typical. We hypothesized that the participants would be less likely to view targets displaying sex-typical behaviors as gay men or as lesbians. Each o f 2 groups of U.S. university students rated targets in 6 slides on homosex uality and 3 other traits. The mean difference in rated homosexuality for t ypical versus atypical carrying styles was small but statistically signific ant. Thus, the results provide some empirical support for the common belief that effeminate men and masculine women are more likely to be seen as homo sexual, at least by U.S. university students.