Heterosexism Definition

“Prejudice and Homosexuality”, by Richard D. Mohr, is an essay about how gays and lesbians are subject to discrimination because of different beliefs. Mohr says that when we are evaluating the morality of behavior is to be prescriptive, or normative, not descriptive. In this essay, Mohr says that “Gays are discriminated against in several ways, including private-sector employment, housing, public accommodations, insurance of all types, custody, adoption, and zoning regulations that bar ‘singles’ or ‘nonrelated’ couples from living together” (Mackinnon 246). I completely agree with him.

“Despite evidence that men and women’s sexual roles are becoming more egalitarian over time, empirical evidence suggests that the traditional sexual roles continue to dominate heterosexual relations” (Sanchez 2012). I personally do not feel like being part of a dominant group becuase of my sexuallity is good thing. The reason being that I am all for equality and support heterosexualls. But being part of a dominant makes me feel like I can be accepted by society. “The dominant group is seen as the norm of society” (Adams, 2013, p. 9). Being heterosexual is powerful because you can be more accepted by the community. Individuals are more acceptant of heterosexuals proposals, mariages, divorces, deaths, and family. Some agents who speak up for the heterosexual group are christians, catholics, elderly people because they are against homosexuals due to the bible. Many catholic or christians schools and churches influence individuals that heterosexuality is normal.”Sometimes laws, codes, or policies actually enforce such discrimination” (Adams, 2013, p. 381). I identify myself as an individual who is heterosexual I do not level myself with a group. The reason for this is because I support the LGBT+ community. Although being a heterosexua does come with some privileges such as being able to get married

This term is based on the assumption that we as a whole understand differences in color, race, and sexuality. However, this portrays the idea that we truly understand homosexuality; in reality we have not. The more this term is analyzed the more society will stamp homosexuals for being “diverse”. Which they would like to few equal. Sullivan explains, “But as obsession with diversity intensifies, the possibility of real difference alarms and terrifies all the more. They are marginalized as “stereotypes””. This fact demonstrates how homosexuality will be considered different no matter what day in age.

2. In the essay “Gender Treachery: Homophobia, Masculinity, and Threatened Identities” the terms ‘homophobia’ and ‘heterosexism’ are discussed. Hopkins contends that there is no distinct boundary between the two terms, but he outlines ways in which to distinguish the two terms. First,

In, “The interSexion: A Vision for a Queer Progressive Agenda” by Deepoli Gokhale, she writes about queer oppression. She defines heterosexism as the “belief that there are only two genders, and that a sexual relationship between a man and a

A heterosexist is someone that discriminates in favour of heterosexual and against homosexual people. An example of people showing heterosexist beliefs in the public services is how people associate men in The Royal Navy as being gay when in fact according to The Navy Times in 2010 there are around 66,000 homosexuals serving in military which make up just 2.2%.

In society, heterosexuality is a principal method of organizing institutions and regulating individual behavior. A culture based on ideas of heterosexuality values relationships that are between men and women; as a result, sexual contact occurring between same sex individuals is seen as deviant and labeled as homosexual. In her book, Ward explains how straight white men can have sex with other white men while retaining their heterosexuality in addition to gaining a masculine appeal. Ingraham and Namaste’s discussion of heteronormativity, heterogenders, and supplementarity aids in understanding why straight white men are not labeled as homosexual and how this functions to reproduce inequalities based on race, gender, and sexuality.

Sexual orientation is “the clear, persistent desire of a person for affiliation with one sex rather than the other”, otherwise known as sexual preference. (http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com) Prejudice against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transsexuals (otherwise known as LGBT people) remain widespread in American society. LGBT people have always been a target for discrimination. Like other forms of prejudice, this discrimination is based on a hostile attitude toward a specific group and in this case minority. The current strides in the controversy of the legalization of the same sex marriage is a prime example of this discrimination. Sexual orientation prejudice

Children raised by homosexual parents may be able to learn some life lessons that, were they raised in a traditional household, they would not have the opportunity to learn. These children may fare better in social situations, as presented by the website Kids In The House in their study, which states that, “...gay and lesbian parents sometimes have...an advantage over heterosexual parents…[k]ids that come out of gay households tend to be less aggressive,...more nurturing,...and more open to diversity (“The Studies on Children Who Are Raised by Gay Parents”).” These children, upon being exposed to a different way of life at a young age, are more tolerant and accepting of diversity in their life. Stephanie Pappas, when writing for Parenting, said that, “...kids of gay parents...may have the advantage of open-mindedness, tolerance, and role models for equitable relationships, according to some research (Same-Sex Parenting is Beneficial).”. Upon being raised in a non-traditional household, these children learn that being different is okay and that you should follow your heart, which are both valuable life

Heterosexism, is a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships. The United States

In, “Heterosexism and homophobia among college students,” Larry M. Lance starts off by explaining the difference between heterosexism and homophobia. Heterosexism is thinking that everyone should be attracted to the opposite sex and homophobia is having an irrational fear of gay men and lesbians. He mentions that efforts have been made to reduce heterosexism on campuses by encouraging homosexuals to be proud of who they are and not hide. However, with homophobia, he states that these negative attitudes are seen more in heterosexual males than heterosexual females. Heterosexual males could have more homophobic views on lesbians and gay men because of their exotic value even though they seem to be less homophobic towards lesbians. Lance

Americans live in a society that seems constantly plagued by various types of discrimination. For instance, ableism, classism, and sizeism are a few examples of the sorts of systematic discriminations that Americans face every day. However, as of late, one of the most prevalent forms that targets homosexual minorities is Heterosexist discrimination. Heterosexism is defined as the discrimination or prejudice against homosexuals (“Heterosexism”). In addition to being prejudiced and discriminatory, Heterosexism is more often than not paired with the idea that heterosexuality is the normal sexual orientation, and therefore superior.

According to Eve Sedgwick,the definition of heterosexism is a series of assumptions that lead to the conclusion that all aspects of a person’s sexuality can be deduced by their biological sex alone. These assumptions relate to what sexualities are considered “normal”. In the text “Making Gay Meaning” Sedgwick lists several of these assumptions including that a person’s gender presentation and identities are “supposed” to match their biological sex, a person’s sexual partner’s perception as gay or straight is supposed to match their own, and that a person’s perception as gay or straight is supposed to correspond with the biological sex of that person and their sexual partner(s).

North Carolina’s Bathroom Bill is one example of compulsory heterosexism. This bill helps society majority of society form bias as opinions towards transgender men and women. Some ideologies that have come from this bill is. Women are not safe in public bathrooms and the may be raped. Children left alone will be kidnapped and raped as well. Another example is what is being taught in most churches, to hate the LGBT community, they are lead to believe these people are evil and sinners. Most religions believe it’s a sin, so their ideologies, creates heat towards the LGBT community. A large percent of religious groups are teaching people to police other people lives and behavior.

As to giving meaning on what homosexual is, according to Frank Worthen, the scientific community, religious groups and even the homosexual themselves, have no agreement as to what is the definition of homosexuality. Lawrence J. Hatter, author of Changing Homosexuality in the Male, has given this definition, saying that one who is prompt, in grown-up life, by a definite preferential suggestive attraction to members of the same sex and who usually, but not certainly, engages in overt sexual relations with them. Frank Worthen found this to be a good working definition, though a full explanation of the condition of homosexuality goes much deeper. The majority of homosexuals believe they were born "gay." This belief often gives them with comfort,