gnome-terminal doesn't use the default terminal font specified in gnome font preferences. The only fonts available to it when I try to specify a specific font for gnome-terminal are the standard xfree fonts. When told to "Use the same font as other applications", it doesn't use the "Sans" font which, even though it is selected in gnome font preferences.
What version of gnome-terminal ? Only newer (not in portage right now) versions of gnome-terminal support TT fonts, so this is a know thing if your gnome-terminal is 2.0.x
i guessing im right, if it's not so feel free to reopen.