noun
- prejudice, discrimination, or bias against people who are not heterosexual; the assumption that heterosexuality is the only normal or acceptable sexual orientation
Usage: often used in academic and social contexts to describe systemic discrimination; parallel to terms like racism and sexism
Examples
- The organization works to combat heterosexism in schools and workplaces.
- Heterosexism can manifest in policies that deny equal rights to LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Many activists argue that heterosexism is deeply embedded in social institutions.
- The study examined how heterosexism affects mental health outcomes in marginalized communities.
- Educational programs aim to reduce heterosexism by promoting awareness and understanding.
- Heterosexism often goes unrecognized because heterosexuality is treated as the default.