This study builds upon Cooperative Extension’s diversity efforts by considering 4-H state leaders’ readiness to support lesbian and gay youth. Forty-seven (64%) of the 74 addressees on a national list of 4-H state leaders responded to a questionnaire on leaders’ knowledge of lesbians and gays, homophobic attitudes, and practices regarding lesbian and gay youth. The majority of respondents were middle-aged, highly educated, white professionals who had substantial longevity in their positions. The largest group (40.4%) grew up on farms. Leaders’ scores on a gay and lesbian knowledge test, adapted from Sears, showed substantial variability (17 possible; µ=10.34; SD=3.9). Low correct scores on specific questions indicated a lack of knowledge that could lead to practices which would undermine sexual minority youth development. Leaders’ scores on the Morrison & Morrison Modern Homonegativity Scale were normally distributed (range=12-60; µ=30.83; SD=8.37), with 55% of state leaders scoring below the mean (less homophobic). Leaders’ scores on a researcher-designed best practices for working with lesbian and gay youth checklist were normally distributed (8 possible; µ=3.79; SD=2.03). Leaders almost unanimously (90%) reported that anti-discrimination polices that protect lesbians and gays were highly visible in their organizations, and almost all leaders (81%) recognized that youth who identified as lesbian or gay were harassed in school settings.
There was a large association (Φ =.493) between leaders’ upbringing and homophobia, with rural leaders scoring high (more homophobic) on the homonegativity scale. There was a large association (Φ =.543) between political affiliation and homophobia, with politically conservative leaders scoring high (more homophobic) on the homonegativity scale. There was a large association (Φ = .476) between political affiliation and best practice implementation, with politically conservative leaders scoring low on a best practice implementation checklist. Political affiliation was the only demographic variable associated with all three measures surveyed: knowledge, attitudes, and best practice implementation. Politically conservative leaders were associated with low knowledge, high homophobia, and low best practice implementation. Also, leaders’ knowledge scores and homophobia scores had a large, negative correlation (ρ = -.498).
Contrary to the literature on homophobia, for 4-H state leaders’ gender, age, and religiosity were not associated with homophobia. Most leaders (64%) knew someone in their organization who was gay. All leaders recognized they either did have or could have lesbian or gay youth in their 4-H programs. Very few lesbian and gay 4-H professionals and volunteers publicly acknowledged their sexual orientation (are ‘out’) to youth. (8.5% marked they had professionals who were out to youth; 6.4% marked they had volunteers who were out to youth).
To improve support for lesbian and gay youth, state leaders and Extension directors should encourage lesbian and gay professionals and volunteers to share their sexual orientation with colleagues and youth. The increased implementation of best practices to support lesbian and gay youth is also warranted. The high correlation between knowledge and attitudes suggests increased 4-H staff development would be beneficial. False beliefs about lesbians and gays that are associated with conservative political affiliation need to be challenged with scientific information through staff development and training.