Connection With the Lesbian Community
- When interacting with members of the lesbian community, I often feel different and alone, like I don't fit in.
- Attending lesbian events and organizations is important to me.
- I feel isolated and separate from other lesbians.
- Most of my friends are lesbians.
- Social situations with other lesbians make me feel uncomfortable.
- Being a part of the lesbian community is important to me.
- Having lesbian friends is important to me.
- I feel comfortable joining a lesbian social group, lesbian sports team, or lesbian organization.
- I am familiar with community resources for lesbians (i.e., bookstores, support groups, bars, etc.).
- I am aware of the history concerning the development of lesbian communities and/or the lesbian/gay rights movement.
- I am familiar with lesbian books and/or magazines.
- I am familiar with lesbian movies and/or music.
- I am familiar with lesbian music festivals and conferences.
Public Identification as a Lesbian
- I try not to give signs that I am a lesbian. I am careful about the way I dress; the jewelry I wear; and the places, people, and events I talk about.
- I am comfortable being an "out" lesbian. I want others to know and see me as a lesbian.
- I wouldn't mind if my boss knew that I was a lesbian.
- It is important for me to conceal the fact that I am a lesbian from my family.
- I feel comfortable talking to my heterosexual friends about my everyday home life with my lesbian partner/lover or my everyday activities with my lesbian friends.
- I am not worried about anyone finding out that I am a lesbian.
- I live in fear that someone will find out I am a lesbian.
- I feel comfortable talking about homosexuality in public.
- I do not feel the need to be on guard, lie, or hide my lesbianism to others.
- If my peers knew of my lesbianism, I am afraid that many would not want to be friends with me.
- I could not confront a straight friend or acquaintance if she or he made a homophobic or heterosexist statement to me.
- I feel comfortable discussing my lesbianism with my family.
- I don't like to be seen in public with lesbians who look ''too butch'' or are ''too out'' because others will then think I am a lesbian.
- I act as if my lesbian lovers are merely friends.
- When speaking of my lesbian lover/partner to a straight person, I often use neutral pronouns so the sex of the person is vague.
- When speaking of my lesbian lover/partner to a straight person, I change pronouns so that others will think I'm involved with a man rather than a woman.
Personal Feelings About Being a Lesbian
- I hate myself for being attracted to other women.
- I am proud to be a lesbian.
- I feel bad for acting on my lesbian desires.
- As a lesbian, I am loveable and deserving of respect.
- I feel comfortable being a lesbian.
- If I could change my sexual orientation and become heterosexual, I would.
- I don't feel disappointment in myself for being a lesbian.
- Being a lesbian makes my future look bleak and hopeless.
Moral and Religious Attitudes Toward Lesbians
- Just as in other species, female homosexuality is a natural expression of sexuality in human women.
- Female homosexuality is a sin.
- Female homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle.
- Children should be taught that being gay is a normal and healthy way for people to be.
- Lesbian couples should be allowed to adopt children the same as heterosexual couples.
- Growing up in a lesbian family is detrimental for children.
- Lesbian lifestyles are viable and legitimate choices for women.
Attitudes Toward Other Lesbians
- I feel comfortable with the diversity of women who make up the lesbian community
- If some lesbians would change and be more acceptable to the larger society, lesbians as a group would not have to deal with so much negativity and discrimination.
- I wish some lesbians wouldn't ''flaunt'' their lesbianism. They only do it for shock value and it doesn't accomplish anything positive.
- Lesbians are too aggressive.
- My feelings toward other lesbians are often negative.
- I frequently make negative comments about other lesbians.
- I have respect and admiration for other lesbians.
- I can't stand lesbians who are too ''butch.'' They make lesbians as a group look bad.
Response Options:
A 7-point Likert scale, ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree."