Women at Dartmouth are about twice as likely to accept homosexual behavior and to support gay, lesbian and bisexual political agendas than men, according to a recent survey gauging attitudes toward homosexuals.
Of the 800 surveys evenly distributed last fall to randomly selected members in the four classes by the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Study Committee, 608 surveys were returned. The 76 percent response rate is one of the highest recorded in this particular field of study.
The 37-question survey also asked respondants about incidents of verbal and physical abuse directed toward gays and lesbians and to address students' personal experiences with friends who are gay, lesbian or bisexual.
When asked how they would respond to overhearing a derogatory remark about lesbians, gays, or bisexuals, 19 percent of senior men said they would agree with the remark. Seventeen percent of senior men said they would express disapproval and the rest said they would say nothing at all.
When asked the same question, not a single senior woman said she would agree with the remark and 60 percent of the senior women said they would express disapproval.
The results of the survey have been separated into several categories like age, gender, race, religion and sexuality for comparative study.
Auguste Goldman '94, committee chair, said a detailed report will be released some time Fall term. Presently, Goldman will only release statistically-significant results that indicate differences in response between men and women.
He said he found evident in the results of the survey "a very real difference in attitudes, perceptions and beliefs between Dartmouth men and Dartmouth women."
Goldman said he found this gender gap "most obvious" in the responses to the survey question "If someone of your own sex indicated that he/she might be interested in a romantic relationship with you, how might you feel?"
To this question, 34 percent of the men surveyed responded that they would be "angry and violent," as opposed to nine percent of the women.
Goldman said the responses from the different racial groups have some of the largest differences in statistical percentages but are too controversial to release without substantial analysis.
The study also includes an administrative survey and a faculty survey that Goldman plans on releasing in the fall as well.
He said he hoped the study will contribute to the national discussion of gay, lesbian and bisexual issues, and also act as "a valuable tool for those at Dartmouth who wish to change current norms and beliefs surrounding homosexuality at Dartmouth."
"This report is intended to arm the community with facts, not rhetoric," Goldman said.
Half of the students surveyed said they believe that gay, lesbian and bisexual students are likely to be harassed at the College because of their sexual orientation.
When asked to respond to the statement, "The presence of lesbians, gays and bisexuals on campus enriches the college community," 68 percent of the women said they agree or strongly agree, as compared to less than half of that number, 29 percent of men.
Similar results were found in responses to the statement "In general, I support the lesbian, gay, and bisexual political agenda," with 60 percent of the women and 29 percent of the men in agreement.
Yet 43 percent of those surveyed said they feel that lesbians, gays and bisexuals "push their demands too forcefully."
Students surveyed were also asked to respond to the statement "I would feel uncomfortable sharing a bathroom with someone who I knew was gay or lesbian." Forty-two percent of the men and 19 percent of the women said that they strongly agree or agree.
Although men at a national level are also more homophobic than women, Goldman said this survey is important to Dartmouth because now "we have hard facts."
"And it's shown to be true across racial lines, age lines, and it doesn't matter where they live, whether they are freshmen or seniors, women are more accepting than men," Goldman said. "This is important to Dartmouth when looking at programming, planning events for social groups and examining how to attack the issues."
Goldman was awarded $9,700 over four years by Allen and Joan Bildner Endowment to study gay life at the College.
During spring 1997, Goldman plans to survey 200 members of the Class of 1997 again to track their development. He said he does not need to sample the same students who responded in this survey to get an accurate statistical value.
Similar type studies have been conducted at seven other colleges and universities, but the highest response rate before Dartmouth was 35 percent, Goldman said.
Goldman is currently working at the national headquarters of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays in Washington, D.C.
