Compulsory Heteronormativity - 4212 Words

Compulsory Heterosexuality Introduction In todays world, as humankind is still in progress, we have a much more liberated world compared to past. In terms of politics, we learned discrimination is not a honourable case to be involved in and we tried to minimize constraints reflected on other races, other nationalities, in short all of the others that are not similar to us. Us is, without doubt, white, Western man. Despite all the back-drawed prejudices of others in the name of liberation, respect and equality, it does not seem to be the situation for non-heteronormatives to live in a peaceful environment. Since I came to Amsterdam as an exchange student this term, I had the opportunity to experience daily-life with all the†¦show more content†¦Despite the fact that compulsory heterosexuality is the central issue of homosexual argument s, there is limited work specifically concentrated on heteronormativity. Majority of the articles are about gay lesbian rights and inequalities in terms of citizenship rights. Howe ver, almost every article reflects the normality of homosexuality contradictory to heteronormative theory. All of them lay natural causes and reasons down on the table and accuse heteronormativity of being reproduction obsessed. Paper In this paper, my main argument is to reject the superiority of the normal heterosexual and to equalize the non-heterosexual. So here is the question; what is normal? Who defines it? We have evidence that in the past, a long time ago, from the start of the first civilization, sex was a primary issue. Putting aside peoples active sexual lives, homosexuality is known to be very common in Sumerians, Ancient Greek and Romans .(Heterosexuality). I do not mean to say that homosexuality was common than heterosexuality but even in story of Gilgamesh the hero is said to be in love with the man he needed to fight with. One other thing claiming the normality of non-heterosexualism is the invention of terms . It was only 19th century the term homosexuality was invented, then followed by heterosexuality (Heterosexuality) . Bisexuality came later in 20th century to define people who do not have dominant choices for a sex partner. As it is seen even the terms areShow MoreRelatedThe Concept Of Heteronormativity Is The Belief That It Is Only1517 Words   |  7 PagesThe concept of â€Å"heteronormativity† is the belief that it is only ‘normal’ ‘natural’ and ‘universal’ to have two different genders. In addition to these two genders it would only be ‘normal’ if there were clear and distinct differences between the two. This would include ones biological sex, ones gender identity, and ones gender role in society. This would also mean it would be considered ‘normal’ if these two different genders sexuality were heterosexual. Meaning a à ¢â‚¬Ëœnormal’ sexual orientation wouldRead MoreAnalysis Of Judith Butler s S Gender Trouble2691 Words   |  11 Pagesit is perceived as wrong. It is to be avoided, to be ‘othered’, and is subject to social abjection . In Judith Butler’s Gender Trouble, she identifies a need for a new interpretation of gender against the previous regime of ‘gender hierarchy and compulsory heterosexuality.’ In this essay, I will argue that Judith Butler’s approach to gender politics is an improvement on previous attitudes towards homophobia. I will do this through a close contextual reading of Butler’s work, particularly Gender TroubleRead MoreSexuality Education : An Important And Compulsory Part Of The New Zealand ( Nz ) Curriculum1640 Words   |  7 PagesSexuality education is an important and compulsory part of the New Zealand (NZ) Curriculum. Sexuality education is important so young people can feel empowered about their sexuality and mak e positive informed decisions. 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Pepper Schwartz essay â€Å"The Social Construction of Heterosexuality† creates claims that sexual orientation is shapedRead MoreAnalysis Of The Film Crossing The Borderlands Of Sexuality And Gender 1067 Words   |  5 Pagesexplore it because we live in a culture who practices compulsory heterosexuality. This documentary is an extension of Adrienne Rich Idea on Compulsory Heterosexuality. In the reading by Adrienne Rich, Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence, we come to understand how heterosexuality is a political institution which is normalized through the media, law, politics, literature, and religion. While Rich in her essay focuses on how compulsory heterosexuality is devastating to the lesbian populationRead MoreSocietal Attitudes Of Gay And Queer Families1223 Words   |  5 PagesWestern households are a site for ‘traditional’ family values because they espouse rigid gender identities and compulsory heterosexuality (Erhart 2013). Lesbian and queer families are excluded from ‘traditional’ notions of family and reproduction which constitute the ideological locus of domesticity (Hammock 2009; Seidman 1997). Societal attitudes mandate lesbian compulsory childlessness (Parks 1998) because lesbians present a threat to heterosexual family values, and are distinctly non-procreativeRead MoreMen Who Have Sex With Men Essay1476 Words   |  6 Pagessexual behaviors are typically associated with homosexuality in both the United States and Western European cultures and historically are shouldered â€Å"...with it a blanket condemnation of all same sex behavior...because it is at odds with a rigid, compulsory heterosexual norm† (Almaguer, p. 77). However, homosexuality isn’t simply just a reflection of the dislike of MSM (Men who have sex with men), but rather the association femininity that our culture has deemed less than. Schwartz (1995) says, â€Å"We