Heteronormative

Meaghan Molle Heteronormative: A term used when a person or community pushes a heterosexual and a binary gender norm view on life. Ignoring and/or demonizing alternative sexualities such as homosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, or others.  Believing that it is not normal to have an opposing sexual orientation, suggesting only a man and a woman should be together (Warner, 1991), and assuming that others adhere to binary genders, gender expressions, and heterosexual practices (Osander et. al, 2009).

Heteronormativity can stem from being in a community with strict based views or agendas that do not support a homosexual way of living. Things like religion, learned attributes and misunderstanding can also play a role in people pushing a heteronormative perspective (Baker,  2019). When someone obtains a heteronormative perspective they are choosing to believe that being ‘straight’ is basically ‘right’ and being gay is wrong (Baker, 2019, Warner, 1991). The definition of Heteronormative provided by the Oxford Dictionary includes that it is “denoting or relating to a world view that promotes heterosexuality as the normal or preferred sexual orientation” (OED.com, 2023).

The term was first coined by Michael Warner (1991) when understating his Queer Theory. “Heteronormativity is also influenced by the work of Michel Foucault in its understanding of the way in which power operates in the construction of sex and sexual categories” (Barker, 2007). Just recently have people looked into the effects that this view can have on communities within it and out of it. Another simple definition by the European Institute of Gender Equality they share that it is the “assumption of a person’s heterosexuality” (Osander et. al, 2009). Having this kind of bias leads to discrimination against those of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who support the community as well.

References

        Barker, M.-J. & Iantaffi, A. (2019) Life Isn’t Binary: On Being Both, Beyond, and In-Between. London: Jessica Kingsley. ISBN 978-1785924798

Osander, C., Keller, M., & Drud-Jensen, M. T. (Eds.), II Homophobia and Discrimination on  Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the  EU Member States: The Social Situation (2009). Vienna, Austria; European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.