Nearly 1-in-4 (23.6%) believed that male cross-dressing is wrong. Among heterosexuals, 13.6% reported they had been bullied for gender non-conformity as did 42.7% of LGBTQ-identified individuals. Approximately, 7% reported they had bullied others for not conforming to their gender. The majority (80.6%) of respondents reported that they know someone who displays non-conforming characteristics and 61% said that they associate gender non-conformity with homosexuality. Most respondents (73%) were taught traditional gender roles in their childhood home, and 89% had heard negative opinions about non-conformity. TMF and HABS scores were both highest in heterosexual males. The mean HABS score was 3.31 (95% CI: 3.19–3.43), indicating relatively low endorsement of heteronormative attitudes.
The mean score on the TMF was 5.23 (95% CI: 5.15–5.32), indicating moderate levels of personal gender conformity.
Approximately 21% of respondents identified as a sexual minority and 36% identified as liberal or somewhat liberal (27% were conservative). Results: The sample ( n = 502) was 84% female and 78% white. Materials and Methods: We conducted an online survey of Mountain West college students between the ages of 18–24 years to assess perceptions of personal gender conformity using the Traditional Masculinity-Femininity Scale (TMF), endorsement of heteronormative beliefs using the Heteronormative Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (HABS), and explicit tolerance of gender non-conformity on a seven-point Likert Scale. Understanding the attitudes of undergraduate students is of particular interest as they may represent emergent societal views toward gender non-conformity. Introduction: Heteronormative attitudes are prevalent in the United States and may contribute to discrimination against individuals who do not conform to traditional gender roles.
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States.