heterosexist
Assuming straight normalcy
Heterosexist describes attitudes, policies, or behaviors that assume heterosexuality is the norm or superior to other sexual orientations.
A heterosexist workplace might assume all employees have opposite-sex partners; heterosexist assumptions shape everything from medical intake forms to wedding traditions.
The term parallels racist and sexist in structure and function: heterosexist bias in adoption laws.
Prejudice against same-sex attraction
- bigotryIntolerance toward differing views
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- intoleranceUnwillingness to accept differences
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
marginalization · stigma · inequality · injustice · erasure · invisibility · microaggressions · stereotyping
State of not knowing
- insensitivityLack of emotional awareness
- blindnessAbsence of vision
- ignoranceAbsence of knowledge
- obliviousnessLack of awareness
unexamined · implicit · internalized · unintentional · casual · everyday · subtle · coded
Unverified belief accepted as true
- conformityAdherence to norms
- defaultPreset standard option
- normalizationAdjusting to a standard
- traditionalismAdherence to inherited customs
mainstream · dominance · hegemony · straightwashing · institutionalized · systemic · invisibilization · assimilation
homophobia
Prejudice against same-sex attraction
- bigotryIntolerance toward differing views
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- intoleranceUnwillingness to accept differences
oppression · marginalization · stigma · inequality · injustice · erasure · invisibility · microaggressions · stereotyping · bias
unawareness
State of not knowing
- insensitivityLack of emotional awareness
- blindnessAbsence of vision
- ignoranceAbsence of knowledge
obliviousness · unexamined · implicit · internalized · unintentional · casual · everyday · subtle · coded · microaggression
assumption
Unverified belief accepted as true
- conformityAdherence to norms
- defaultPreset standard option
- normalizationAdjusting to a standard
traditionalism · mainstream · dominance · hegemony · straightwashing · institutionalized · systemic · invisibilization · assimilation
heterosexistinclusive
Covering all members
affirming · supportive · accepting · tolerant · welcoming
heterosexisttolerant
Accepting of differences
accepting · egalitarian · open-minded · unprejudiced · unbiased