Beliefs About Sex and Gender
Joseph McNair (1998)
Read each statement thoughtfully, and register the strength of your feeling about each item as it pertains to your beliefs. If you don't know what some of the words mean, look them up. Make sure you understand what you are agree or disagreeing with. This survey is for discussion purposes only. Copyright © 1996 Joseph D. McNair.
| Name | Ethnicity |
| Gender: Male Female | Nationality |
| Age: 20 and under 20-3030-40 Over 40 | Occupation |
Check the appropriate box for each statement that corresponds to your attitude toward that particular statement.
SA-Strongly Agree, A-Agree, U-Uncertain, D-Disagree, SD-Strongly Disagree
1. One's gender identity can be accurately determined by observable biological sexual characteristics including primary sexual characteristics e.g., external genitalia, secondary sexual characteristics and certain kinds of gender specific behavior.
SA A U D SD
2. What makes a man a man is a penis and scrotum, the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts, prostrate gland, and Cowper's gland and other characteristics of the male anatomy.
SA A U D SD
3. What makes a woman a woman is a vulva which contains the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule of the vagina, hymen, bulbs of the vestibule, Bartholin's glands, and mons pubis. The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina etc., are the important internal anatomical structures which make a real woman.
SA A U D SD
4. A person who outwardly looks like a man, but contains some of the internal organs of a woman is still a man.
SA A U D SD
5. A person who outwardly looks like a woman, but contains some of the internal organs of a man is still a woman.
SA A U D SD
6. It is possible for man to have perfectly formed, complete and functioning primary and secondary sexual characteristics and still believe that s/he is a woman trapped in a male's body.
SA A U D SD
7. A person who has the primary and secondary sexual characteristics of a woman but the sexual chromosomes e.g., X and Y, of a man is a man.
SA A U D SD
8. Sexual identity, one's essential feelings or maleness or femaleness more than anything else depends on awareness of primary and secondary sexual characteristics and conformity cultural gender norms.
SA A U D SD
9. Men are men and women are women and there is no normal in-between category.
SA A U D SD
10. Nature clearly divides the sexes into discrete, mutually exclusive categories.
SA A U D SD
11. A transvestite, one (usually a male) who enjoys dressing in the clothes of the opposite sex, is almost always homosexual.
SA A U D SD
12. Girls who play football and boys who cry when they are angry almost always have a "problem" with their gender identity.
SA A U D SD
13. A transsexual, one who feels that his or her real gender does not match his or her body, should be able to choose to have a sex reassignment surgery (sex change operation) even if the anatomical parts are complete and functional.
SA A U D SD
14. Men are more violent than women and women are more nurturant, at least towards infants and children, than men.
SA A U D SD
15. There is a clear distinction made in the American macroculture between masculine and feminine functions, tasks and activities.
SA A U D SD
16. Men are valued over women and society itself is structured to advantage men in the access and control of society's allocations of value.
SA A U D SD
17. The following traits are attractive in women: Very aggressive; very independent; ambitious; not at all emotional; very objective; not at all easily influenced; very dominant; excellent aptitudes in math and science.
SA A U D SD
18. The following traits are attractive in men: Very interested in own appearance; very neat in habits; very quiet; very concerned about security and personal safety; enjoys art and literature; easily expresses tender feelings.
SA A U D SD
19. There are simply no differences in the verbal skills of men and women.
SA A U D SD
20. Under no circumstance should parents tolerate feminine behavior in their male children.
SA A U D SD
21. The education of women should emphasize learning the "social graces," and how to be a strong source of support for the men in their lives.
SA A U D SD
22. Homosexuality is a mental illness.
SA A U D SD
23. A person who is sexually attracted to members of the same sex is a freak of nature.
SA A U D SD
24. One can be homosexual without ever having an actual same-sex sexual experience.
SA A U D SD
25. One can change their sexual orientation if they are gay, they can become straight; if they are straight, they can become gay if they so choose.
SA A U D SD
26. If one has a homosexual experience, then one is probably a homosexual.
SA A U D SD
27. If a homosexual has a heterosexual "affair," s/he is probably cured of the malady of homosexuality.
SA A U D SD
28. Homosexuality is a choice that one makes. It's about being different and exhibitionistic.
SA A U D SD
29. Sexual orientation is probably genetically and biologically based.
SA A U D SD
30. Gay and lesbian people are more likely than heterosexuals to molest children.
SA A U D SD
31. Homosexuals usually have histories of sexual abuse.
SA A U D SD
32. Women become lesbians because the haven't found the right man.
SA A U D SD
33. Men become gay because of domineering mothers and bad experiences with women generally.
SA A U D SD
34. Penile-vaginal intercourse is the only natural way to have sex.
SA A U D SD
35. Among (American) gay men femininity is more valued than masculinity.
SA A U D SD
36. Among (American) lesbians masculinity is more valued than femininity.
SA A U D SD
37. Gay men have better taste and fashion sense than heterosexual men.
SA A U D SD
38. Gay and lesbian people are antifamily.
SA A U D SD
39. Gay people should be allowed to be parents and raise children.
SA A U D SD
40. Artificial insemination, adoption, co-parenting and surrogacy are legitimate means for gays and lesbians to become parents as an alternative to the heterosexual relationship.
SA A U D SD
41. Children raised by homosexuals are likely to become homosexual.
SA A U D SD
42. Among most gay and lesbian couples, one is definitely a "husband" and the other a "wife."
SA A U D SD
43. Homosexuals should be allowed to marry.
SA A U D SD
44. Most male dancers, hairdressers, preschool and elementary school teachers and interior decorators are gay.
SA A U D SD
45. Openly gay and lesbian teachers should never be allowed to teach children.
SA A U D SD
46. Gays and lesbians can never make good soldiers.
SA A U D SD
47. Homosexuality is a sin.
SA A U D SD
48. Jesus had a lot to say about homosexuals and homosexuality.
SA A U D SD
49. Homosexuals can become heterosexual through prayer.
SA A U D SD
50. There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel or sodomite of the sons of Israel.
SA A U D SD
51. All of the major religions believe homosexuality to be a sin.
SA A U D SD
52. Openly gay or lesbian people should be allowed to join the clergy of all major religions.
SA A U D SD
53. All gay men engage in anal intercourse.
SA A U D SD
54. Rather than praying to God to deliver them from their homosexuality, gay men and lesbians might profit more in asking God to deliver them from the guilt and shame of being homosexual.
SA A U D SD
55. There is nothing unnatural about any shared love, even between two people of the same gender, if that experience calls both partners into a fuller state of being.
SA A U D SD
56. Far from being a sickness, sin, perversion or unnatural act, same-sex love is a healthy, natural, and affirming form of human sexuality for some people.
SA A U D SD
57. The word of God in Christ says that we (including homosexuals) are loved, valued, redeemed and counted as precious no matter how we might be valued in a prejudiced world.
SA A U D SD
58. Public schools, community colleges and universities should as a part of their regular curriculum require course in human sexuality, including units on homosexuality.
SA A U D SD
59. There should be laws against homosexuality.
SA A U D SD
60. Gays and lesbians, like any other citizens, have the right to equal protection under the law.
SA A U D SD