SEASTARS
Impact of a Live Transgender Panel Presentation on Attitudes Toward Transgender Individuals
Author(s): Kimberly Sinkkanen , Dr. Susan Walch , Elisabeth Swain , Jacquelyn Francisco , Cassi Breaux , Chandra Kirby , Enoch Walls
Abstract:
Sexual minorities may experience significant discrimination and prejudice. Discrimination
and prejudice have been widely reported by transgender individuals (Lombardi et al.,
2001). A crossover design was used to compare the impact of a live transgender panel
presentation to a lecture presentation about transgender issues. As part of an
undergraduate course, 45 students were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: A) a
live panel presentation followed by a lecture presentation (n=23), or B) a lecture
presentation followed by a live panel presentation (n=22). Attitudes toward transgender
individuals were assessed prior to the presentations and again immediately following each
presentation, and three weeks later. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant main
effect for time and a significant condition by time interaction. Significant reductions
in negative attitudes toward transgender individuals were found across time for students
in both conditions. The live panel presentation evidenced steeper initial reductions in
transphobia than the lecture presentation. Further reductions in transphobia scores were
seen after the addition of the live panel presentation. However, further reductions in
transphobia scores were not found after the addition of the lecture. Results suggest that
live panel presentations evoke greater reduction of negative attitudes and beliefs toward
transgender individuals.