Heterosexuals Attitude Towards Gay and Lesbian Peers

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Subject
Practical Research I

By: Group 2

Trisha Mae A. Fuentes

Jay Ann Mae P. Manlupig
Aaron Charles S. Cinco
Wency Lloyd M. Tabar
Elisha Mariette A. Tizon
Jentezen R. Lagata
Joy M. Cebedo
Researchers

March 2023

Submitted to:

Daryl Henry P. Engracia

Research Teacher
 CHAPTER 1

Introduction

Background of the Study

The attitudes of heterosexual people toward gays and lesbians have been the topic of
extensive study and public interest for many years. In many societies, sexual orientation,
including being gay or lesbian, has historically been criticized, rejected, and discriminated
against, leading to negative attitudes and behaviors toward individuals who identify as gay,
lesbian, and so on. In this 2023 article (The Peek Performance Center, n.d.), it was noted that
one of the factors that influence a child's development is their upbringing.

Upbringing refers to the socialization that individuals go through during childhood

and adolescence; this includes the values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors ingrained in them by
their families, communities, and cultural contexts. As a prime factor, it has been recognized
to shape and influence heterosexual attitudes towards sexual orientation, including being gay
or lesbian. The attitudes that heterosexual people develop are influenced by their familial
relationships, parental attitudes and beliefs, religious and cultural teachings, and social
conventions within the community.

People may absorb these views and form prejudices towards their gay and lesbian
peers, for instance, if they are born in households or a society that thinks negatively toward
homosexuality. On the other side, those who grow up in families or communities that value
acceptance, diversity, and inclusivity may adopt more tolerant views of people who identify
as lesbian, gay, or who are sexually active. Despite advancements in LGBTQ+ acceptance
and rights, prejudice against gay and lesbian people still exists in several situations.

The study of heterosexual attitudes toward homosexual and lesbian peers can also
help to guide actions and policies that support LGBTQ+ rights, equality, and social justice. To
better understand the complex relationship between family, community, and cultural
influences on attitudes toward sexual orientation and to guide efforts to promote equality,
social justice, and inclusivity for LGBTQ+ people, more research on the role of upbringing in
forming heterosexual attitudes toward gay and lesbian peers is therefore required.
 The researchers wanted to conduct this study about the attitudes of heterosexual
people toward gay and lesbian learners, to see what they truly think about them. While there
is a considerable amount of research on attitudes towards gay and lesbian individuals, little
research has been conducted to explore the attitudes of heterosexual individuals towards gay
and lesbian learners specifically.

This aforementioned study aims to address the attitudes of heterosexual individuals

toward gay and lesbian learners in an educational setting. Additionally, this study can inform
educational policies and interventions that aim to create a welcoming environment for all
learners regardless of their sexual orientation.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, the study aims to determine the attitude of heterosexuals toward their gay and
lesbian peers at Ozamiz City National High School. Specifically, this study seeks to answer
the following questions:

1. How does heterosexual student interact with gay and lesbian learners?
2. What do heterosexual students feel when they interact with gay and lesbian students?
3. How do you provide support to your gay and lesbian peers?

Significance of the Study

The study’s findings will be extremely beneficial to the following:

Schools. This study will encourage academic institutions and administrators

promote programs and advocacies for the gays and lesbian learners to have a safer
environment.

Community. This study will help spread awareness in the community on

recognizing how heterosexual act towards gay and lesbian learners.

Future Researchers. This will serve as their guide for their future research that is
related to this study. The concepts offered might be utilized as a starting point for future study
or to verify the validity of previous related discoveries.
Scope and Limitations

 Scope of the Study

The study is focused on determining the attitudes of heterosexuals toward their gay
and lesbian peers in Ozamiz City National High School (OCNHS). The study will have 10-15
respondents through convenience sampling. The researchers will rely on interview, as a
result, the reliability of the results depends on the respondents’ honesty, seriousness, and
interest in the research.

 Limitations of the Study

The study will exclusively cover the inquiry of the Students of Ozamiz City National
High School in School Year 2022-2023, and any problem outside the scope of the study will
not be covered.

Definition of Terms

Heterosexual –: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or

between people of the opposite sex. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Heterosexual.

Gay –: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to people of one's
same sex. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Gay.

Lesbian- A woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women. Merriam-

Webster. (n.d.). Lesbian.

Attitude- A mental position with regard to a fact or state. a helpful attitude.: a feeling or
emotion toward a fact or state. a negative attitude. an optimistic attitude. Merriam-Webster.
(n.d.). Attitude.

Homosexual-: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between people of the same sex.
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Homosexual.
 CHAPTER 2

Review of Related Literature

Attitudes toward individuals who identify as gay or lesbian have been the subject of

research for several decades, and the findings suggest that these attitudes can significantly

impact the lives of these individuals. For children who are perceived to be and/or identify as

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQ), these vulnerabilities are

increased due to widely held heteronormative views that foster and justify the violence and

discrimination against them (Ivanka Custodio,2019). In an educational setting where students

spend a lot of time interacting with their peers, attitudes toward gay and lesbian learners can

have massive impacts on their well-being, academic performance, and socialization. One of

the consistent findings in this research area has been that heterosexuals who personally know

a lesbian or gay man manifest more positive general attitudes toward gay people as a group.

Related studies have shown that positive attitudes towards gay and lesbian learners can

foster a welcoming environment (Goldstein-Schultz, 2022).

In 2023, a recent study has shown that  teachers with positive attitudes toward lesbian,

gay, and bisexual students are more likely to create safe spaces (Goldstein-Schultz, 2022),

prevent homophobic behavior (Glikman & Elkayam, 2019), correct peer bullying (Nappa et

al., 2018), act as mentors (Gastic & Johnson, 2009), participate in sexual diversity training

(Kwok, 2018), and implement LGBTQ-inclusive curricula in their classrooms (Klocke et

al., 2019; Page, 2017) than teachers with homonegative attitudes. Since teachers can be

relevant support resources for sexual minority students—protecting them from victimization

and supporting them emotionally (Bellini, 2012; Fenaughty, 2019; Kosciw et al., 2020;

Mudrey & Medina-Adams, 2006; Taylor et al., 2016)—teacher education needs to focus on

improving the attitudes of teacher candidates and preparing them to become allies for sexual

minority youth.

However, to date, there is a paucity of studies examining pre-service teachers’ attitudes

toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth in school settings.

Perception refers to how a person sees or perceives the world. Perception is the process by
which Perception vary from person to person. Different people see different thing about the
same situation. Perception may be negative, which can have unfavorable effects in the school
environment.

1. Perspective towards gay and lesbian

Global

Over the last few years, the social acceptance of LGBTI People have been increasing.
According to The Williams Institute (2021), there are 56 countries that experienced and
increase in acceptance since 1981, 62 countries have experienced no change in acceptance,
and 57 countries saw a decrease in acceptance.

Asia

Over the past two decades, tolerance to homosexuality in Taiwan has outpaced that which is
found in China, Japan, and South Korea. However, LGB individuals, who are targets of
stigma, may have a lower perception of the general population’s acceptance of homosexuality
compared to their heterosexual peers.

Philippines

In this 2016 survey (Statista Research Department), over 60 percent of the respondents
do personally know someone who is attracted to people of the same sex or identifies as gay,
lesbian or bisexual. Despite their religiosity, the Philippines is one of the countries in Asia
where public acceptance of homosexuals is high. In mid-2018, the local government of the
city Mandaluyong even approved a right to protect the LGBT community from
discrimination. The fact is that despite the acceptance in the Philippine society, many are
still faced with discrimination. Especially students and as well people suffering from HIV. 
(Statista Research Department,2016)
Schools in Philippines

Schools should be safe places for everyone. But in the Philippines, students who are
lesbian, and gay too often find that their schooling experience is marred by bullying,
discrimination, lack of access to LGBT-related information, and in some cases, physical or
sexual assault. They are more likely to be stigmatized for being homosexual which can result
in harassment and violence against them. In recent years, lawmakers and school
administrators in the Philippines have recognized that bullying of LGBT youth is a serious

problem, and designed interventions to address it. In recent years, lawmakers and school
administrators in the Philippines have recognized that bullying of LGBT youth is a serious
problem, and designed interventions to address it. In 2012, the Department of Education
(DepEd), which oversees primary and secondary schools, enacted a Child Protection Policy
designed to address bullying and discrimination in schools, including on the basis of sexual
orientation and gender identity. The following year, Congress passed the Anti-Bullying Law
of 2013, with implementing rules and regulations that enumerate sexual orientation and
gender identity as prohibited grounds for bullying and harassment. The adoption of these
policies sends a strong signal that bullying and discrimination are unacceptable and should
not be tolerated in educational institutions.

(DepEd), which oversees primary and secondary schools, enacted a Child Protection
Policy designed to address bullying and discrimination in schools, including on the basis of
sexual orientation and gender identity. The following year, Congress passed the Anti-Bullying
Law of 2013, with implementing rules and regulations that enumerate sexual orientation and
gender identity as prohibited grounds for bullying and harassment. The adoption of these
policies sends a strong signal that bullying and discrimination are unacceptable and should
not be tolerated in educational institutions.

2.) Factors that affect Perspective

Past experiences- Our previous experiences and knowledge of the world shape not only our
behavior, but also how we perceive our environment (Shallcross, 2023).