1. Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence An article by Adrienne Rich

2. Author background  1929-2012 Born in Baltimore; died, California 2012  Graduated Radcliffe, 1951  Married Harvard professor, had three sons  Poet, writer  Came out as lesbian in 1976

3. “I married in part because I knew no better way to disconnect from my first family. I wanted what I saw as a full women’s life, whatever was possible.” Adrienne Rich in article from the Guardian, June 2002

4. Do you see any patterns of adherence to social construction? What was going on in our culture? In the 1950s, birthed her sons, wrote. In the 1960s, work exploring her female identity began being awarded by national institutions – Guggenheim, Bollingen Foundation, more. In 1976, after separating from husband, began relationship with Jamaican novelist Michele Cliff, which lasted until her death in 2012. In a 1982 essay, she states, “The experience of mother was eventually to radicalize me.”

5. “The suppressed lesbian I had been carrying in me since adolescence began to stretch her limbs.” – Adrienne Rich, 1976, from Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution.

6. Fast Forward : Compulsory heterosexuality Rich argues in her 30-page, article from 1980 that -females are indoctrinated into compulsory heterosexuality because that is what society expects -It is the same society that is dominated by males. -Feminist scholarship of the time “neglects” what she describes as the lesbian existence.

7. Definition of compulsory heterosexualitity “The idea that female heterosexuality is both assumed and enforced by a patriarchal society. Heterosexuality is then viewed as the natural or obligation by both sexes. Consequently, anyone who deviates from the normalcy of heterosexuality is deemed deviant or abhorrent.”

8. Rich’s article is broken down into four parts.

9. Article Part I: Arguments “Feminist theory can no longer afford merely to voice a toleration of ‘lesbianism’ as an ‘alternative life-style,’ or make token allusion to lesbians” (632) “A feminist critique of compulsory heterosexual orientation for women is long overdue” (632)

10. Con’t. Rich examines four books from “feminist” viewpoints – all devoid of mention of lesbians. 1.Nancy Chodorow, The Reproduction of Mothering 2.Dorothy Dinnerstein, The Mermaid and the Minotaur 3.Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English, For Her Own Good: 150 Years of the Experts’ Advice to Women. 4.Jean Baker Miller, Toward a New Psychology of Women

11. Books deal with Mothering – Sex roles – Relationships – Societal ideas for women – But none of the books deals with compulsory heterosexuality as affecting these topics

12. Heterosexuality is a man- made political institution

13. Part II: Rich lists 8 powers of men (638- 639) 1. To deny women sexuality 2. To force male sexuality on women 3. To exploit labor in the workplace and In reproduction (abortion laws, for example)

14. 4. To control, rob them of children 5. To confine physically, prevent movement 6. To use them as objects in male transactions (Twin Peaks?)

15. 7. To stifle their creativity 8. To withhold knowledge

16. Part III: Rich defines lesbian existence It’s a continuum (what other authors have suggested this?) She broadens the term to include “primary intensity between and among women” “The bonding against male tyranny” (649) “Sharing of a rich inner life” (649) “The giving and receiving of practical and political support” (649)

17. “Heterosexuality has been both forcibly and subliminally imposed on women” (653)

18. Article Part IV Rich says that compulsory heterosexuality has drained the power of women to “change social relations of the sexes” – “The lie” keeps women “psychologically trapped.” – How does this reflect on Rich’s experiences given her bio?

19. Rich says “Historians need to ask…how heterosexuality as an institution has been maintained through” – Economics – women’s wages – Leisure – female middle class leisure – Glamorization of sexual liberation – Withholding of education – Imagery of art and culture (music videos?)

20. Rich says it will take courage in politics, economics, and the extent of our culture to “undo the power of men everywhere” (660)

21. Timeline of class readings involving gender Rich – 1980 “Heterosexuality is constructed” Butler – 1988 “Gender is something you do” Barthes --- 1972 Women’s role to reproduce

22. How many think … …that heterosexuality is inborn? …that heterosexuality is chosen? …that heterosexuality is a product of culture?

23. 2016 Is compulsory heterosexuality still evident today ? Examples?

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25. Works Cited Napikoski, Linda. “Origin and Meaning.” About Education. N.d. Web. July 31, 2016. Rich, Adrienne. “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence.” Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 5:4 (1980): 631-660. “Adrienne Rich.” Wikipedia. N.d. Web. 28 July 2016.