SCHOOL COUNSELORS PERCEPTIONS OF ADOLESCENT HOMOSEXUALS

Data from a national survey of secondary school counselors (N - 289) were collected regarding their perceptions of adolescent homosexuality. Most counselors underestimated the prevalence of homosexual adolescents. Almost one in five counselors reported that counseling a homosexual student concerning gay issues would not be professionally gratifying, and 20% thought they were not very competent in counseling gay adolescents. One-fourth of the school counselors reported that teachers seem to exhibit significant prejudice toward homosexual students, and 41% believed schools are not doing enough to help gay students adjust to their school environment. Perceptions of adolescent homosexuality did not vary by gender, age, or education level of the counselors.