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Heterosexism is a term used to describe the presumption that everyone is and Prejudice in favor of Heterosexual or straight people over Gay , Lesbian , and Bisexual people. Heterosexism is thus also the underlying Belief s and Attitudes of such preference. Stemming from the Essentialist cultural notion that Maleness - Masculinity and Femaleness - Femininity are complementary, heterosexism is not limited to heterosexuals since people of any Sexual Orientation , including Gay Men , Lesbian s or bisexuals, can also hold '''heterosexist''' beliefs.


ETYMOLOGY AND USAGE


The term ''heterocentrism'' or ''''' Heterosexualism ''''' may be equivalent to ''heterosexism'' Corsini, Raymond J. (1992). ''The Dictionary of Psychology''. ISBN 1583913289.. Although the well-established term ''heterosexism'' is often explained as a Coinage modeled on '' Sexism '', the derivation of its meaning points more to (1.) ''heterosexual'' + ''-ism'' than (2.) ''hetero-'' + ''sexism''. It uses its similarity to the term "sexism" as part of a Memetic Engineering attempt to demean the beliefs of those who view homosexuality as abnormal or sexually deviant . In fact, the Portmaneau word ''heterosexualism'' has been proposed as a near equivalent. Gregory M. Herek. "Definitions: Homophobia, Heterosexism, and Sexual Prejudice" .

Given this lack of '', ''straight Privilege '', ''heterosexual Bias '' or the much lesser known terms '' Heterocentrism '', '' Homonegativity '', and from Gender Theory and Queer Theory '' Heteronormativity ''. In everyday speech and writing, however, ''heterosexism'' is commonly confused with or eclipsed by the word ''homophobia'', whose key meaning is antipathy towards gay men and lesbians. This situation parallels uses of the more scholarly '' Ethnocentrism '' and the more popular '' Xenophobia ''.


HETEROSEXISM AS A SET OF BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES


See also: Religion And Homosexuality , Homosexuality And Psychology , Sexual Orientation And Medicine , and Social Attitudes Toward Homosexuality


Heterosexism as a set of Belief s and Attitude s relies on a basic understanding that homosexuality and bisexuality do not exist normally and, as such, constitute Deviant Behavior s. Within heterosexist mentality, the well-established concept of Sexual Orientation is rejected. A set of more nuanced heterosexist views, which some may consider Faith , Dogma , Universal Truth s, Appeals To Authority , or popular beliefs, but others consider to be sociobiological knowledge can include, among others, the following:
  • A person can choose his or her sexual “preference” and, as a result, homosexuality is a Lifestyle choice or a current Fad Or Trend .

  • Homosexuality being wrong, ungodly, and against nature, it is therefore a Sin , Evil or subhuman.

  • Since they cannot reproduce among themselves, homosexuals must Recruit the young; conversely, they can be converted back to heterosexuality through Reparative Therapy or Religious Conversion .

  • Homosexuality is a Mental Disorder or social ill, therefore, it can be cured or stamped out. Similarly it was believed that homosexuality was a form of Sexual Deviance by many psychologists until modern political pressure altered the official view. If it is not eradicated, it will lead to Social Disintegration and Societal Collapse .

  • Because of their lifestyle, homosexuals do not have families with children, so they undermine the survival of the human race. ( Natalism )



HETEROSEXISM AS DISCRIMINATION



Explicit or open discrimination


This type of heterosexism includes Anti-gay laws, Harassment based on sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; negative Stereotyping , discriminatory language and Discourse , and other forms of discrimination against gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals such as:

  • Hate Speech , Terms Of Disparagement , Hate Mail , Death Threats , Murder Music

  • Negative portrayals or stereotypes of gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals solely as villains, the butt of jokes, objects of curiosity. This can occur on television and in movies as well as in jokes between friends or among co-workers.

  • Using the Gay Panic Defense in assault or murder cases.

  • and Lawrence V. Texas ''

  • In some countries where ''

  • Discrepancies in ''

  • “ Marriage Protection Act s” or “ Defense Of Marriage Act s” that Ban Same-sex Marriage ;

  • ''

  • Creating parallel institutions to marriage, such ''

  • Proposals or legislation to prohibit equal rights protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, particularly with regard to health care, housing, and employment.

  • Banning gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals from serving in the ''

  • Organized opposition to equal rights for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals ( LGBT Rights ) and same-sex couples

  • Referring to a suspected criminal's homosexuality or bisexuality when in analogous situations there is no mention of a suspect's heterosexuality.



Implicit or hidden discrimination

This form of heterosexism operates through invisibility, underrepresentation, and erasure . It includes:

  • Lack of portraying LGBT people in advertising to the general public;

  • Censorship of LGBT characters, themes, and issues in works of art, literature, entertainment;

  • Exclusion of historical and political figures’ and celebrities’ homosexuality or bisexuality, on equal terms with homosexuality; their portrayal as heterosexuals;

  • Complete avoidance of mentioning these people and their positive contributions particularly in news media;

  • In the context of sex education or professional advice, referring only to opposite-sex partners when discussing female or male Sexual Attraction and activity;

  • At work or school, total silence on at school or work or absence of their discussion in a positive light;

  • Implementation and use of Content-control Software (censorware) to filter out information and websites that focus on LGBT topics and issues;

  • Postal Censorship and border control or customs seizure of publications deemed Obscene solely on the basis of them containing LGBT-related material even when they contain no Erotic or Pornographic material; ''see also Little Sister's Book And Art Emporium ''

  • Work environments that tacitly require gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals not to reveal their sexual orientation via discussion of their relationship status while heterosexuals can discuss their relationships and Marital Status freely;

  • At public libraries or bookstores: rejection, removal or destruction of LGBT-themed books, films, and posters;

  • Refusal to include LGBT Parented families at school events or to represent such family diversity in school curricula; ''see also Anti-bias Curriculum '';

  • Coercive or forced ''



EFFECTS OF HETEROSEXISM


The main effect of heterosexism is the Marginalization of gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals within society. Heterosexism has led to Stigmatization and Persecution of not only these people but also those of other sexual diversity such as transgender, and transsexual people. Along with Violence Against LGBT People , Homophobia , Lesbophobia , and Internalized Homophobia , heterosexism continues to be a significant social reality that compels people to conceal their homosexual or bisexual orientation, or metaphorically, to remain in The Closet in an effort to Pass for heterosexual.


REFERENCES



SEE ALSO


  "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/information/entry/Human_sexuality" class="copylinks">Human Sexuality Sociobiology
  "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/information/entry/LGBT_stereotypes" class="copylinks">LGBT Stereotypes AIDS/HIV Stigma (against Homosexuals And Bisexuals) Tokenism
  "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/information/entry/Second-class_citizen" class="copylinks">Second-class Citizen Jim Crow Laws
  "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/information/entry/Gay_rights_opposition" class="copylinks">Gay Rights Opposition Slogans Of Anti-gay Ideology
  "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/information/entry/Supremacism" class="copylinks">Supremacism Heterocentrism