Definition

Noun: 1. A system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination that favors heterosexual people and relationships over homosexual ones: Heterosexism is an ideological framework that assumes heterosexuality is the norm and superior, often resulting in prejudice and unfair treatment against gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals.

Usage

Heterosexism operates on both individual and institutional levels. It can manifest as overt prejudice, subtle bias, or through policies and social structures that privilege heterosexual people.

Examples

• Institutional heterosexism was evident in the company's previous policy, which denied health benefits to same-sex partners.
• The speaker's heterosexism was clear when he casually remarked that marriage was only for "a man and a woman," ignoring other family structures.
• Challenging heterosexism in education involves including LGBTQ+ history and perspectives in the curriculum.

Advanced Usage

• Internalized heterosexism: Refers to the acceptance of negative societal attitudes about homosexuality by LGBTQ+ individuals themselves, which can lead to self-hatred or shame.
  • Years of internalized heterosexism made it difficult for him to accept his own identity.
• Heterosexist bias: A prejudiced perspective that assumes heterosexuality is the default or correct sexual orientation.
  • The survey showed a heterosexist bias by only offering "husband" and "wife" as relationship options.

Variants and Related Words

• Heterosexist (adjective): Characterized by or exhibiting heterosexism.
  • That heterosexist law was finally overturned.
• Heteronormativity (noun): The worldview that promotes heterosexuality as the normal or preferred sexual orientation, often underlying heterosexist attitudes.

Synonyms

• Sexual prejudice
• Anti-gay bias
• Homophobia (Note: While related, homophobia often implies an irrational fear or hatred, whereas heterosexism focuses on systemic bias and privileging of heterosexuality.)

Related Concepts and Contexts

• Heterosexism is often discussed alongside other systems of discrimination like sexism and racism.
• It is a core concept in queer theory and gender studies, analyzing how power structures marginalize non-heterosexual people.

Noun

1. discrimination in favor of heterosexual and against homosexual people