Brief Report: Increasing Acceptance of Homosexuality in the United States Across Racial and Ethnic Subgroups

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2015 Nov 1;70(3):319-22. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000000740.

Abstract

After recent civil rights expansions for sexual minorities in the United States, we updated previous findings on population-level attitudes toward homosexuality measured in the General Social Survey. In 2014, 40.1% of respondents reported that homosexuality was "always wrong" compared with 54.8% in 2008 (P < 0.001). Although black and Hispanic respondents consistently reported more negative attitudes regarding homosexuality than white respondents throughout 2008 to 2014, the percentage declined among all racial/ethnic groups. Among MSM, more positive attitudes were associated with HIV testing. Research shows a potential association between homophobia and HIV risk; thus, these population-level changes may promote better health among MSM.

MeSH terms

  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychological Distance*
  • Racial Groups
  • Risk Factors
  • United States