Feminist Sociology - Heterosexism

Heterosexism

Heterosexism is a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of male-female sexuality and relationships. At one point, heterosexual marriage was the only lawful union between two people that was recognized and given full benefits in the United States. This clearly put homosexual couples of both sexes at a disadvantage, making their relationships less valid in the eyes of the government than that of a relationship between a man and a woman. However, heterosexism can extend far beyond government validation, as it describes a set of paradigms and institutionalized beliefs that systematically disadvantage anyone other than heterosexual, whether the source of oppression is coming directly from the government or not.