CHAPTER I
                                 INTRODUCTION

      There are a large number of characteristics an individual may possess that guide the individual's belief and attitudinal schemes. Individuals possess both biological drives and social characteristics that can sometimes be used to better explain social phenomenon. Features of an individual's religious background, race, educational attainment, upbringing, immediate environment, socioeconomic status, etcetera all interact with one another and impact how individuals interact with others. This analysis attempts to better predict the characteristics in individuals that allow them to hold negative attitudes toward gays and lesbians. Specifically, this analysis addresses how gender role ideologies, race and gender impact attitudes toward lesbians and gays. Demographic (control) characteristics are also taken into consideration.

      There is never one reason why an individual displays homonegative affect or

behaviors. However social science has been able to identify several key predictors (e.g., religious fundamentalism, age, and educational attainment.) This study explores the facet of how attitudes about sex roles impact homophobia. Moreover, it explores the probable connection between a traditional sex role ideology and a liberal or egalitarian sex role ideology. The idea of sex roles was proposed after World War 11 and originally applied to the area of family studies (Ferree 1990). Individuals in the traditional family were seen as fulfilling certain roles (e.g., women nurture and men provide). Feminist thought of the 1960s and later challenged these ideologies, as they were seen as contributing to and justifying the subjugation of women (e.g., women should raise children rather than seek