Fear of AIDS and homophobia: Implications for direct practice and advocacy

Studies of health cave trainees and professionals have demonstrated that their level of empathy and caving is negatively affected by the knowledge that the person being treated is homosexual, in part because of stigma associated with HIV infection and AIDS. The survey discussed in this article examined the relationship between homophobia and the fear of AIDS within the context of several categorical questions. Gender differences in attitudes weve also examined. Respondents who move liberally endorsed rights for gay men and lesbians weve less homophobic and had less fear of AIDS. Suggestions ave made for sensitizing social workers to the inhibitory effects of homophobia and fear of AIDS when working with HIV-infected clients or people in the gay community.