Ideology and assumption that all people are heterosexual

A system of attitudes, bias and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationship

Can include the presumption that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the only norm, and therefore, superior.

It’s hard to see heterosexism when you’re straight.

Range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people perceived as being LGBT

Expressed as contempt, aversion, irrational fear and hatred

PERSONAL HOMOPHOBIA---Personal belief that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are sinful, immoral, sick and inferior to heterosexuals; or incomplete women and men

RIDDLE SCALE OF HOMOPHOBIA Homophobic Levels 1)Repulsion 2)Pity 3)Tolerance 4)Acceptance Positive Levels 1)Support 2)Admiration 3)Appreciation 4)Nurturance

Homophobia includes:  Thinking that if an LGBT person touches you they are making a sexual advance  Stereotyping lesbians as man haters, separatists or radicals and gay men as sissies  Wondering which one is the man and which one is the woman  Being outspoken about gay rights but making sure everyone knows you are straight  Not confronting a heterosexist remark for fear of being identified as LGBT

INSTITUTIONAL HOMOPHOBIA Ways in which governments, schools, businesses, churches and other institutions and organizations discriminate against people on the basis of sexual orientation

INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA When gay, lesbian or bisexual people incorporate society’s prejudices against homosexuality into their own feelings of self- worth, resulting in feelings of self-hatred, low self-esteem and hatred of other gay, lesbian and bisexual people

Masculine Feminine MaleFemale Homosexual Heterosexual Gender Non-conforming Androgynous Bisexual Intersex

HETEROSEXUAL PRIVILEGE Heteronormative culture privileges heterosexuality as normal and natural and fosters a climate where LGBTQ people are discriminated against in marriage, tax codes and employment.

Heterosexual privilege comes with…  the right to talk about your relationship.  the right to be validated by your religion.  the right to not explain your sexual orientation.  the undisputed right to custody if your partner dies.  the right to be accepted rather than just tolerated.

 The right to show pain openly when your relationship ends.  The right to dress without worrying what it represents.  The right to be sexual with your partner without breaking the law.  The right to be open about finding housing with a significant other.  The right not to be afraid to come out to friends, family and employer.

Cisgender privileges are benefits of having a biological sex that aligns with your gender identity.

Cisgender privilege comes with…  the use of public bathrooms without fear of verbal abuse, physical intimidation or arrest  the use of public facilities such as gym locker rooms and store changing rooms without stares, fear or anxiety.  strangers not assuming they can ask you what your genitals look like and how you have sex.  strangers calling you by the name you provide and not asking you what your “real name” is and using that.  not having to worry that your gender will keep you from receiving appropriate treatment, if you end up in the ER.

 your identity not being considered a mental pathology by the psychological and medical establishments.  you being reasonably able to assume that you will not be denied services at hospitals and banks where IDs are asked for.  you having your gender as an option on forms.  not fearing interactions with police officers due to your gender identity.  you not having to remind your extended family over and over to use proper gender pronouns.

Brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative slights and insult toward members of oppressed groups.

MICROASSAULTS Use of explicit and intended derogations either verbally or nonverbally, as demonstrated through name-calling, avoidant behavior or discriminatory actions toward the victim.

In one school year fag worthless freak loner outsider outcast pussy dick jerk puppet slave loser dumbass faggot heartless wannabe nerd geek carpet licker nigger cunt cunt sucker dog nightmare bloodsucker pothead hippo fatty fatass a-hole

MICROINSULTS Often unconscious and are described as verbal or nonverbal communications that convey rudeness and insensitivity and demean a person’s heritage or identity.

MICROINVALIDATIONS Include communications that exclude, negate or nullify the realities of oppressed groups

MICROAFFIRMATIONS

A member of a dominant group who rejects the dominant ideology and takes action against oppression out of a belief that eliminating oppression benefits everyone.

Allies…  …do not laugh at and confront inappropriate joke tellers.  …read books and journals by, for and about LGBTQ people.  …are out and public about their support for LGBTQ individuals and issues.  …address LGBTQ issues through training.  …support out LGBTQ people who can serve as role models for others.