Inferences of sexual orientation and gender role based on clothing and posture

This study investigated the effect of clothing, posture, and sex of subject on inferences concerning sexual orientation and gender role. Subjects were a convenience sample of 327 students. The study was a 2 (masculine/feminine clothing) x 2 (masculine/feminine posture) x 2 (sex of subject) between subject experimental design. Perceptions of sexual orientation were measured by a single item anchored at one end by homosexual and the other end by not homosexual. Perceptions of gender role were measured by a 22-item scale. Multivariate analysis of variance and analyses of variance were used to analyze the data. Results indicated ratings of both sexual orientation and gender role did vary based on clothing, posture, and sex of subject.