| This study assessed the attitudes of pre-service and in-service teachers, and future and current educational leaders, regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students. This study surveyed 205 undergraduate students with a declared major in education, 50 graduate students in a counseling and administration master's program, who were in-service teachers, and 54 educational leaders working in local public school districts. The students all attended a public university located in a predominantly Hispanic community in a South Texas town.;The participants completed The Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men (ATLG) Revised Scale, that measured attitudes toward gay men and lesbians, as well as a survey regarding demographic information, personal experiences with LGBTQ, and professional development relating to LGBTQ students. The study also included a review of the local public university undergraduate syllabi to ascertain if the LGBTQ topic was addressed, and if so, what percentage of class time was dedicated to the topic. Lastly, included in the study was the frequency and type of professional development opportunities school districts currently provide that address the LGBTQ population.;The mean scale score of The Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men (ATLG) of all participants was a 2.88 on a scale of 1 to 9, 1 being the most positive, and 9 the most negative. There were no correlations found among participants' attitudes toward homosexuality and their age, gender, or sexual identify. There was a statistically significant difference in participants who stated they had family who were LGBTQ; there was also a statistically significant difference in participants who stated they had LGBTQ friends. Those participants were more positive in their attitudes toward homosexuality than those participants who stated they did not have any LGBTQ family or friends. Since there was a positive correlation between participants who knew LGBTQ people and their attitudes toward homosexuality, pre-service education programs might consider including LGBTQ guest speakers. This would give students a more personable perspective on the issues. |
