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Using data from national surveys conducted by the Social Weather Station in 1996 and in 2001 (N= 1,200 each), we examined the attitudes of Filipinos as a general population toward lesbians and gay men. Secondary analysis of two heterosexism measures included in the surveys indicated that Filipinos held largely negative attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Many Filipinos (about 28%) considered being gay/lesbian as" can never be justified" while only 4% thought it could" always be justified." In addition, about lout of 4 Filipinos expressed not wanting gay men/lesbians as neighbors. These heterosexist views did not change significantly from 1996 to 2001 and were widespread, regardless of gender, socio-economic status, educational attainment, or religiosity. Respondents from NCR had the least negative evaluations, and attitudes toward lesbians and gay men were positively correlated to attitudes toward sex work, abortion, and divorce.

A person's negative attitudes toward lesbians, gay men, and their sexualities, including beliefs that being gay/lesbian is wrong, unnatural, pathological, or sinful, is called heterosexism [Herek, 1995). Heterosexist attitudes, sometimes called homophobia or anti-gay prejudice, are often reflective of a larger, more cultural heterosexist ideology that privileges only heterosexual forms of sexuality, relationships, and living. Heterosexism includes the belief that same-sex relationships are wrong or dysfunctional, that lesbians and gay men are less capable than heterosexuals as