heterosexism
heterosexism
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "heterosexism" is /ˌhɛtəroʊˈsɛksɪzəm/.
Here is a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
het /ˌhɛt/: The "h" sound as in "hat," the "e" sound as in "red," and the "t" sound as in "top."
e /ə/: The unstressed "schwa" sound.
ro /roʊ/: The "r" sound as in "red," and the "o" sound as in "go."
sex /ˈsɛks/: The "s" sound as in "sun," the "e" sound as in "red," the "k" sound as in "cat," and the "s" sound as in "sun."
ism /ɪzəm/: The "i" sound as in "sit," the "z" sound as in "zoo," the "e" sound as in "red," and the "m" sound as in "man."
Word Form Variations
Noun: heterosexism (uncountable)
Adjective: heterosexist
Adverb: heterosexistically
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships.
Synonyms: heteronormativity, compulsory heterosexuality, homophobia (in a broader sense of systemic bias)
Antonyms: pansexuality (as a concept of non-hierarchical attraction), queer theory (as a critique of normative sexuality)
The belief or assumption that heterosexuality is the only normal or natural form of sexuality.
Synonyms: heteronormativity, compulsory heterosexuality
Antonyms: inclusivity, sexual equality
Adjective (Heterosexist)
Exhibiting or promoting prejudice against or discrimination toward non-heterosexual people.
Example: "The company's policies were considered heterosexist because they only offered spousal benefits to opposite-sex couples."
Synonyms: homophobic, bigoted, discriminatory
Antonyms: inclusive, egalitarian, accepting
Based on the assumption that heterosexuality is the standard or default sexual orientation.
Example: "The survey's heterosexist language only offered 'male' and 'female' as gender options, and 'husband' or 'wife' as relationship options."
Synonyms: heteronormative
Antonyms: inclusive, diverse, non-presumptive
Examples of Use
Books and Academic Writing
"The overarching system of advantages bestowed on heterosexuals, based on the institutionalization of heterosexual norms or standards that privilege heterosexuals and heterosexuality, and exclude the needs, concerns, cultures, and life experiences of lesbians, gay males, and bisexuals." (Blumenfeld, Warren, "Heterosexism: An Introduction")
"We contend that heterosexism is maintained through modern forms of homophobia: naturalization, cultural homophobia and the minimization of homophobia." (Teal, Janae and Meredith Conover-Williams, Homophobia without Homophobes: Deconstructing the Public Discourses of 21st Century Queer Sexualities in the United States, 2017)
A 2013 academic paper titled "Homophobia and Heterosexism in Public School Reform" examined how "heterosexist assumptions were pervasive in California’s Single Gender Academies."
News and Online Publications
A 2021 article from the University of North Carolina’s LGBTQ Center noted, "Some Examples of Heterosexism: Universal recognition of marriages composed of one man and one woman but denying equivalent recognition to same-sex couples."
"In the realm of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), heterosexism is a critical concept as it highlights the ways societal structures can disadvantage certain groups." (The Oxford Review, November 2023)
"Psychological research intended to prevent development of homosexual or bisexual identity, or to change or 'cure' a homosexual or bisexual orientation once it has developed, is an even more dramatic example of heterosexist bias." (American Psychological Association, Avoiding Heterosexist Bias in Psychological Research)
Entertainment and Media
The term is used in media studies to critique portrayals of sexuality. For example, a communication study discussed how the sitcom Will & Grace "reinforces heterosexism" by presenting a gay character as "heterosexual (e.g., dressing and acting conventionally masculine) and his relationship with the straight character Grace as romantic."
In discussions surrounding the film Boys Don't Cry, critics have used the term to analyze how the movie "exposes the inherent sexual bigotry of heteroideology and the brutal and deadly consequences of society's failure to eradicate such prejudice."
Some online scales and questionnaires, such as the "Perceived Online Heterosexism Scale," use the term to measure "behaviors, attitudes, and belief systems that denigrate and dehumanize those who do not identify as heterosexual or 'straight'" in digital spaces.
Public Discourse and General Use
The term "heterosexism" is used by LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations to highlight systemic inequality, such as unequal health insurance benefits, housing discrimination, or the exclusion of same-sex couples from adoption rights.
"Institutional heterosexism… is the discriminatory treatment, unfair policies and practices, and inequitable opportunities and impacts within organizations and institutions based on LGBTQIA+ identities." (United Way of South Central Michigan, March 2024)
A common example used in public discourse to explain heterosexism is the automatic assumption that a person's partner is of the opposite sex. This can be seen in everyday questions like, "Do you have a boyfriend?" or "What does your husband do for a living?" when addressing someone whose sexual orientation is unknown.
10 Famous Quotes Using Heterosexism
“I define heterosexism as the overarching system of advantages bestowed on heterosexuals, based on the institutionalization of heterosexual norms or standards that privilege heterosexuals and heterosexuality.” (Blumenfeld, Warren, SECTION 6: HETEROSEXISM)
“Heterosexism is the systemic assumption, belief, or behavior that privileges heterosexuality as the norm or superior to other sexual orientations.” (The Oxford Review, November 2023)
“The elephants in the room, namely, heterosexism and homophobia, and how these cultural systems relate to the abuse of ministerial power must be dismantled for the sake of all.” (Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, August 2019)
“The problem is heterosexism, not bisexuality/homosexuality.” (Case Western Reserve University, LGBT Center)
“We favor the term 'heterosexism' because it represents multiple levels of sexual stigma, situating heterosexist attitudes within heterosexist societies.” (J. L. Matsick et al., Illustrations of Benevolent and Hostile Heterosexism in LGBTQ+ People's Lives)
“While the overall systems of heterosexism and ableism are still with us, they have adapted in limited ways.” (Robin DiAngelo, White Fragility)
“The word heterosexism describes a belief system that denies, excludes, denigrates, and stigmatizes any non-heterosexual or straight form of behavior, identity, relationship, or community.” (United Way of South Central Michigan, March 2024)
“My critique emphasizes how the narrative strategically challenges heteronormativity and, in turn, ‘narrative’s heteroideology,’ in order to dismantle the inherent sexual bigotry of heterosexism.” (Original)
“Heterosexism is also a system, not just an individual attitude, which can be seen in policies that deny same-sex couples the same rights and benefits as heterosexual couples.” (Original)
“The effects of heterosexism can compound with other forms of oppression, such as racism and sexism, to create even greater injustice.” (Original)
Etymology
The word "heterosexism" is a combination of two Greek roots and a suffix.
The prefix "hetero" comes from the Greek word heteros, meaning "other" or "different."
The root "sex" comes from the Latin word sexus, referring to either of the two main categories (male or female) into which humans and many other living things are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions.
The suffix "ism" comes from the Greek word -ismos, which is used to form nouns that denote a system, belief, or practice.
Therefore, "heterosexism" literally means "the system or belief of other-sex sexuality." The word was coined to describe a belief system that assumes heterosexuality is the only normal or natural form of sexuality.
The first known use of the word "heterosexism" dates back to the early 1970s, as a part of the developing gay and lesbian rights movement. It was created to draw a parallel with other words that describe prejudice and discrimination, such as "racism" and "sexism." The term filled a need for a word that could describe not just individual feelings of hatred or discomfort toward gay people (known as homophobia), but a broader social and institutional system that privileges heterosexual people and relationships above all others.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Heterosexism
Phrasal Uses and Idioms
Institutional heterosexism: This phrase refers to the way systems and institutions, like the government or schools, create policies and practices that favor heterosexual people.
Internalized heterosexism: This describes the phenomenon where a non-heterosexual person may absorb societal biases and beliefs, leading them to feel shame or negativity about their own identity.
The heterosexism of the nuclear family model: This phrase highlights how the traditional family structure, consisting of a mother, father, and children, is often presented as the only valid family model, excluding other types of relationships and families.
Combating heterosexism: A common phrase used in advocacy and social justice discourse, referring to efforts to dismantle discriminatory systems and beliefs.
A product of heterosexism: Used to describe an outcome, such as a biased policy or a stereotypical media portrayal, that is directly caused by a heterosexist mindset.
Deconstructing heterosexism: This idiom comes from academic and queer theory and refers to the process of analyzing and taking apart the underlying assumptions and power structures that support heterosexist ideas.
The lens of heterosexism: A phrase used to describe viewing the world through a perspective that assumes heterosexuality is the norm and everything else is "other."
Calling out heterosexism: This is a direct action-oriented phrase used when someone points out a biased comment, action, or policy as being based on heterosexism.
Driving a wedge of heterosexism: An original idiom to describe how heterosexist assumptions can cause conflict or misunderstanding between people of different sexual orientations.
The elephant in the room is heterosexism: An original idiom, adapting the classic phrase, used when a group is discussing a social issue, but the underlying cause—heterosexist assumptions—is being ignored.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of heterosexism from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
