Quality before quantity

On the other hand, contact with gay and lesbian people leads to a more broad-minded view of things. It is the quality of such contact rather than the quantity that seems to be important. “People can say they have a lot of gay friends and still be homophobic. Nonetheless, meaningful contact can help to reduce ignorance and negative attitudes”, continues Salvatore D’Amore.

The results of this first study will have to be compared with those recorded in the four other countries involved. In total, 18,000 students offered their opinion. Similar data was also collected in turkey, South Africa and Albania, while a comparison between European conclusions and those of similar studies carried out in the US will soon be presented at a conference in Toronto. “It would be interesting to extend this research to Eastern countries and the rest of the Mediterranean basin where homophobia is an ever-present social reality”.     

Sincerity?

Salvatore D’Amore is aware of certain biases, like the honesty of the declarations made by the students. “This is the problem with all psychological research! To what extent did the respondents not want to give a poor image of themselves? In any event, they were asked to be as sincere as possible”. We can also assume that all those who responded to the survey - all of whom are university students - have a high level of education. “We would need to compare with non-university students, but also with others living in less dense geographical areas, especially those with clear political affiliations and who belong to religious communities…This will require more in-depth study, but the trend towards tolerance is definitely there to be seen”.

This trend towards tolerance is removed from the social stigma and prejudice that is so often evident. This reassures the psychologist. “For me, these results are a sign of hope and future more tolerant generations”. These will be parents who will inculcate their children with values of tolerance. Undoubtedly, they will do so just as their own parents, who belong to the post- ’68 generation that was marked by the feminist and homosexual movements, inculcated them with a certain sensitivity with regard to these questions. “One possible development will be to follow these same subjects to determine whether they maintain similar opinions throughout their lives or, conversely, to study the factors that made them change their minds”, he continues.

An eventual openness in catholic teaching with regard to these subjects that have for so long been swept under the carpet could also help to change mentalities.

Belgium seems particularly far along the road to tolerance while it is also one of the leaders with regard to equal rights for homosexuals. “It is important that other countries recognize this fact. But this is not enough in itself. Laws must be followed by genuine respect for diversity. The recent debates in France concerning marriage for everyone have shown that a law is not enough in itself. Belgium must continue to work to improve education and respect. There is still a lot of work to be done”. After all, the ultimate objective which is the normalization of homosexuality still seems a long way off…