Heterosexism

Heterosexism is a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of heterosexuality and heterosexual relationships.[1] According to Elizabeth Cramer, it can include the belief that all people are or should be heterosexual and that heterosexual relationships are the only norm[2] and therefore superior.

Although heterosexism is defined in the online editions of the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary as anti-gay discrimination or prejudice "by heterosexual people"[3] and "by heterosexuals",[4] respectively, people of any sexual orientation can hold such attitudes and bias, and can form a part of internalised hatred of one's sexual orientation.[5]

Heterosexism as discrimination ranks gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and other sexual minorities as second-class citizens with regard to various legal and civil rights, economic opportunities, and social equality in many of the world's jurisdictions and societies. It is often related to homophobia.

  1. ^ Jung, Patricia Beattie; Smith, Ralph F. (1993). Heterosexism: An Ethical Challenge. State University of New York Press. ISBN 0-7914-1696-8.
  2. ^ Elizabeth Cramer (5 March 2014). Addressing Homophobia and Heterosexism on College Campuses. Routledge. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-317-82328-5. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2018. The definition for heterosexism that I used for authors in the collection is: The expectation that all persons should be or are heterosexual. The belief that heterosexual relations are normal and the norm. These expectations and beliefs occur on individual, institutional, and cultural levels. ...
  3. ^ "Yahoo". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Definition of HETEROSEXISM". Archived from the original on 21 April 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  5. ^ Kira Weidner. "Heterosexism and Internalized Heterosexism". Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.