Homophobia and heterosexism

Guide to oppressions & intersections in SF
Basics: Classism Racism Nationalism, colonialism, xenophobia Religious intolerance Antisemitism Sexism Homophobia & heterosexism Size & beauty standards Disability & ableism Ageism
Manifestations: Institutionalized, systemic, structural Unconscious Conscious Internalized Power relations
Responses: Activism: Antiracism, feminism, etc. Consciousness-raising Redress & affirmative action Diversity & representation
SFnal treatments: Race and feminist SF Race-and-gender stereotypes in SF
See also: Women of color in SF Queer women in SF Women Make SF
About the GOI

Homophobia and heterosexism are prejudices based on sexual orientation, behavior, and preference. Heterosexism is the default assumption that all people are heterosexual, and that heterosexual pairbonding is the norm. More on manifestations. Even if someone is not homophobic, they may be heterosexist. Heterosexism thus works to enforce heterosexuality as the dominant paradigm (compulsory heterosexuality), rendering bisexuality and same-sex sexuality invisible.

Homophobia is the explicit prejudice, dislike, or actions that discriminate against queer-identified people, including gays, lesbians, and bisexuals; homophobes are also typically prejudiced against transpeople and polyamorous folks, although they may not have a coherent explanation relating these categories together. In general homophobia is a manifestation of discomfort with sexual choices and preferences outside of the dominant paradigm of (implicitly patriarchal) heterosexual pair-bonding.

• see Homophobia and heterosexism
• see nonmonogamy, poly, pairbonding, etc.

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