Developing Attitudes of Acceptance Toward Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Peers: Enlightenment, Contact, and the College Experience

ABSTRACT This study proposes an empirically based model with a strong theoretical foundation in higher education and social psychology to better understand how the college experience influences the development of attitudes of acceptance towards lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons. Our results demonstrated that students develop more accepting attitudes toward LGB persons when they enroll in diversity courses, interact across race, or interact with LGB peers. In addition, we found that students' thoughts about their identity in college as well as their comfort around LGB persons are important influences on LGB attitude development.