Heterosexism

Heterosexism is a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships. It can include the presumption that everyone is heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the only norm and therefore superior.

Definition

Heterosexism is a term that applies to a system of negative attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships. It can include the presumption that everyone is heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the only norm and therefore superior. Although heterosexism is defined in the online Oxford English Dictionary as "prejudice against homosexuals on the assumption that heterosexuality is the norm", the word is used in more recent work across a wide range of studies and disciplines with a variety of meanings, related to bias against non-heterosexual forms of sexuality.

Origins

The concept of heterosexism is similar to the concept of racism and sexism, in that it seeks to identify a psychological process of bias that can result in social injustice. The term was first used in the 1970s, and is considered a form of institutionalized oppression related to homophobia and homonegativity.

Effects

Heterosexism as discrimination ranks gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and other non-heterosexuals as second-class citizens with regard to various legal and civil rights, economic opportunities, and social equality in the majority of the world's jurisdictions and societies. It is often related to homophobia and shares many of its forms and effects, including stigma, prejudice, violence, and discrimination.

See also

• Homophobia
• Sexism
• Racism
• Discrimination

References

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