Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
4/24/2018
POLS-1100-502
Term Essay: Heterosexism
After studying a social justice issue in another class this whole semester, it has come to
be a noticeable issue in American politics and a subject that is personally important. This issue
is Heterosexism. Heterosexism is the proper term that is used to describe the favoritism of
opposite sex relationships, thus being the discrimination of homosexuality or sexuality that is
“out of the norm.” However, I have gone further into this issue and have included
discrimination against gender identity. People within the LGBTQ+ community (people who
identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and so on) face discrimination on a regular basis.
Even with the progress that has been made over the years, there are still factors that cause
People within the LGBTQ+ community often experience violence, mental illness, and
deprivation of civil rights. In 2016, an FBI report showed that there was a reported number of
over one thousand three hundred people that experienced a hate crime because of their
sexuality or/and gender identity in the United States alone. (FBI) However, this number is most
likely higher due to cases that have not been reported out of fear from the victims or feeling
Some states still deny same-sex couples to adopt or foster children. One-third of
agencies reject a same-sex couple resulting from personal beliefs or state laws. (Cooper) Some
states that have the ability to reject such couples based on personal beliefs are Texas, Alabama,
North and South Dakota, Michigan, Mississippi, and Virginia. (Foster and Adoption Laws) In
Utah, specifically, the bill to allow same-sex couples to adopt failed to pass in 2016. (Romboy)
There has also been a recent Trump-Pence Administration policy attempting to ban
Candace Stewart
4/24/2018
POLS-1100-502
Term Essay: Heterosexism
transgender troops. Human Rights Campaign president, Chad Griffin, had this to say on the
matter- “Donald Trump and Mike Pence are pushing their extreme anti-transgender prejudices
onto the military over the overwhelming objections of bipartisan officials, national security
leaders and the American public. We will never stop fighting this discriminatory policy until
every current and future transgender service member is treated equally and respected fully for
Heterosexism does not only hurt this minority, but the majority as well. In an article
called “Heterosexism hurts straight people, too” written by Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld, he
describes the effects that this discriminative behavior has on all of society just as well as the
victims. Blumenfeld states that heterosexism is pervasive throughout the society and each of
us, irrespective of sexual or gender identity and expression, stands at risk of its harmful effects.
(Blumenfeld) He first points out that heterosexist conditioning compromises the integrity of
people by pressuring them to treat others badly, which are actions contrary to their basic
humanity. (Blumenfeld) This also limits individuals to form relationships and communicate with
people part of the LGBTQ+ community along with ruining family relationships. Heterosexism
often forces people into strict gender roles, which constricts self- expression and originality in
our communities. Thus, depriving our society of diversity and all the benefits and culture people
within the LGBTQ+ community can offer. In addition, heterosexism results in the elimination of
discussions of the lives and sexuality of LGBT people as part of school-based sexuality education
Blumenfeld used a quote from Frederick Douglass which states, “No [person] can put a
chain about the ankle of [another person] without at last finding the other end fastened about
[their] own neck.” (Blumenfeld) Douglass originally said this while talking about the effects of
slavery on both those enslaved, and the slavers whose humanity became corrupted. However,
these wise words pertain to any inhumane actions or worldly issues we live in today. In
Blumenfeld's case, this quote works magnificently to make people think and start the explaining
There are many factors to consider when thinking about the solution to heterosexism
and the overall discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community. There is not one clear, simple way to
achieve this. However, targeting the protection and offering more support to LGBTQ+ youth is a
great start. At such a vulnerable age, it is important to secure their safety and shape their
minds. Youth are our future leaders, and if they grow up to be accepting and aware of these
issues, the better chance we have to see more change in the future. LGBTQ+ youth experience
many forms of discrimination relating to religion and bullying. LGBT youth represent 20-40% of
all homeless young people. Many were actually forced to leave their homes just because their
families’ religious beliefs did not accept them. (Fact Sheet on LGBT Youth) LGBTQ+ youth also
experience many forms of bullying and negative mental health effects. According to the Human
42% of LGBTQ children say they live in a community that doesn’t accept them
Over 29% of LGB children and teens will attempt suicide, compared to 6.4% of non-LGBT
children (LGBTQ Youth)
30% of transgender youth will attempt suicide, with 42% who have self-harmed (Center)
How can we do this? How can we start introducing LGBTQ+ issues to youth? How can we offer
support? Well, a good place to start would be to take part in the Day of Silence.
The Day of Silence is a national event that is held by students. On this day, students who
choose to take part in this event vow to stay silent the entire day, which represents the silence
and lack of acknowledgment that is experienced by LGBTQ+ youth. Students take part in this
event in order to take a stand against LGBTQ+ bullying and discrimination. A group of students
at the University of Virginia first organized the Day of Silence in 1996 as a class project on non-
violence. (Frequently Asked Questions about Day of Silence) By 2001, it became a national
event and funded by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.)
Students prepare in advance to take part in this day of silence by talking to their
teachers in advance about their intention to stay silent during class and hand out “speaking
cards” which explain their reasoning of staying silent during the school day. (Frequently Asked
Questions about Day of Silence) There have been concerns that schools would not allow this
day of silence resulting from distractions. While there is a chance that schools might have
consequences for taking part in such event, students have the right to take part in it under the
First Amendment.
Candace Stewart
4/24/2018
POLS-1100-502
Term Essay: Heterosexism
Even though this particular event relates to mostly students (elementary, junior high,
high school, and college level), anyone can take part in order to show and spread awareness for
LBGTQ+ youth. Now just that, would be a great step towards the solution of heterosexism. This
can be a distressing issue for some, and can result in mental illness and in some cases, suicide.
This discriminative behavior also results in a deprivation of rights and tarnishes not only the
spirits of the victims, but of the whole community. “We all have a responsibility, indeed an
opportunity, to join as allies to construct protective shelters from the corrosive effects of
prejudice and discrimination while working to clean up the heterosexist environment in which
we live. Once we take sufficient steps to reduce this pollution, we will all breathe a lot easier.”
(Blumenfeld)
Candace Stewart
4/24/2018
POLS-1100-502
Term Essay: Heterosexism
Works Cited
Blumenfeld, Dr. Warren J. "Heterosexism hurts straight people, too." 10 7 2016. LGBTQ Nation BILERICO
Report. Web. 30 4 2018.
Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical. "High rates of suicide and self-harm among transgender
youth." 31 8 2016. Science Daily. Web. 24 4 2018.
Cooper, Leslie. "Same-Sex Couples Are Being Turned Away From Becoming Foster and Adoptive Parents
in Michigan. So We're Suing." 20 11 2017. ACLU. Web. 2018 26 3.
FBI. "Number of Victims of Gender or Sexual Orientation Related to Hate Crime in the United States in
2016, by Motivation." 2016. Statista. Web. 2018 24 4.
"Foster and Adoption Laws." 2018 12 3. MAP (Movement and Advancement Project). Web.
"Frequently Asked Questions about Day of Silence." n.d. gsafe (Creating Just Schools for LGBTQ+ Youth.
Web. 26 3 2018.
McBride, Sarah. "BREAKING: HRC Condemns Trump-Pence Transgender Troop Ban Policy." 2018 23 3.
Human Rights Campaign. Web. 2018 26 3.
Romboy, Dennis. "Utah House panel rejects gay couples adoption, foster care bill." 24 2 2016. Deseret
News Utah. Web. 30 4 2018.