Homonegative Microaggressions Scale (HMS)

The following questions ask you about experiences you’ve had in the recent past (the past 6 months).
In the past 6 months:
1. How often have people conveyed that it is your choice to be gay?
2. How often have people acted as if you have not come out?
3. How often have people asked about former boyfriends (if you are a woman) or girlfriends (if you are a man)?
4. How often have people assumed you are straight?
5. How often have people used the phrase “sexual preference” instead of” sexual orientation”?
6. How often have people assumed you were more sensitive (if you are a man) or less sensitive (if you are a woman) than you are?
7. How often have people assumed you were skilled in stereotypically gay tasks (like interior design for men or carpentry for women)?
8. How often have people assumed you knew a lot about stereotypical LGB interests like wine (if you are a man) or sports (if you are a woman)?
9. How often have people assumed you were knowledgeable about women’s clothing (if you are a man) or men’s clothing (if you are a woman)?
10. How often have people of the same sex assumed you were attracted to them simply because of your sexual orientation?
11. How often have people told you they just see you as a person‚ regardless of your sexual orientation?
12. How often have people said blanket statements about how society is full of diversity‚ minimizing your experience of being different?
13. How often have family members simply ignored the fact that you are a LGB individual?
14. How often have people changed the subject/topic when reference to your sexual orientation comes up?
15. How often have people assumed you were a pervert or deviant?
16. How often have people assumed you were a pedophile?
17. How often have .people assumed you have HIV/AIDS because of your sexual orientation?
18. How often have people assumed you are sexually promiscuous because of your sexual orientation?
19. How often have ‘people physically shielded their child/children from you?
20. How often have people avoided proximity‚ like crossing the street to walk or waiting for the next elevator?
21. How often have people said things like “I watched Will & Grace” to show they know about gay culture?
22. How often have people equated themselves and their experience to yours as a minority?
23. How often have people indicated they know other LGB individuals by saying things like “My hairdresser is gay” or “I have a gay friend”?
24. How often have people showed surprise at how not effeminate (if you are a man) or not masculine (if you are a woman) you are?
25. How often have people assumed you like to wear clothing of the opposite sex?
26. How often have people made statements that you are “more normal” than they expected?
27. How often have people addressed you with the pronoun of the opposite sex (she/her for men‚ he/him for women)?
28. How often have people told you to “calm down” or be less “dramatic”?
29. How often have people either told you to be especially careful regarding safe sex because of your sexual orientation or told you that you don’t have to worry about safe sex because of your sexual orientation?
30. How often have people dismissed you for bringing up the issue of your sexual orientation at school or work? I
 31. How often have people stared at you or given you a dirty look when expressing affection toward someone of the same sex?
32. How often have people made statements about LGB individuals using phrases like “you people” or “you know how gay people are”?
33. How often have people said it would bother them if someone thought they were gay?
34. How often have people made statements about why gay marriage should not be allowed?
35. How often have people made statements against LGB individuals adopting?
36. How often have people (directly or indirectly) called you a derogatory name like fag‚ queer‚ homo‚ or dyke?
37. How often have people told you to act differently at work or school in order to hide your sexual orientation?
38. How often have people made offensive remarks about LGB individuals in your presence‚ not realizing your sexual orientation?
39. How often have people used the phrase “that’s so gay” in your presence?
40. How often have people told you it’s wrong to be gay or said you were going to hell because of your sexual orientation?
41. How often have people told you to dress differently at work or school in order to hide your sexual orientation?
42. How often have people told you not to disclose your sexual orientation in some context (like work or school)?
43. How often have you felt that TV ch‎aracters have portrayed stereotypes of LGB individuals?
44. How often have you felt like your rights (like marriage) are denied?
45. How often have religious leaders spoken out against homosexuality?
 
full scale HMS (0.95)‚ Assumed Deviance (0.85)‚ Second-Class Citizen (0.83)‚ Stereotypical Knowledge and Behavior (0.82)‚ and Assumptions of Gay Culture (0.84)
 
1=Hardly ever/never/ not at all‚ 2=Occasionally‚ but rarely/a little bit‚ 3= Occasionally/from time to time/ somewhat‚ 4= Consistently/often/ a good deal‚ 5= Constantly/a great deal‚ 6=Not applicable
Assumed Deviance (items: 1‚ 14‚ 15‚ 16‚ 17‚ 19‚ 20‚ 28‚ and 40)
Second-Class Citizen (items: 12‚ 21‚ 22‚ 34‚ 35‚ 37‚ 41‚ and 42)
Assumptions of Gay Culture (items: 10‚ 24‚ 26‚ 32‚ and 39)
Stereotypical Knowledge and Behavior (items: 6‚ 7‚ 8‚ 9‚ and 29)
 

Wright‚ A.J.‚ & Wegner‚ R.T. (2012). Homonegative microaggressions and their impact on LGB individuals: A measure validity study. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling‚ 6(1)‚ 34-54.

Wegner‚ Ryan Travis. (2014). Homonegative Microaggressions and their Impact on Specific Dimensions of Identity Development and Self-Esteem in LGB Individuals. Columbia University. Doctoral Dissertation

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