Disclosure of Sexual Orientation and Impressions of Male and Female Homosexuals

Sociometric and stereotypic ratings were administered after subjects viewed a videotape of either a male or a female homosexual stimulus person. Some subjects were informed that the stimulus person was gay before viewing the tape, some were informed after viewing, and the remainder were never informed. Trait ratings were more stereotypical and sociometric ratings were less favorable for all targets in disclosure conditions (either immediate or delayed). Homosexual targets were judged more stereotypically by subjects of their own sex. Timing did not influence trait ratings, but males rated targets more harshly in delayed than in immediate disclosure conditions. Limitations for the generality of these findings are discussed.