The heterosexual privilege checklist

This article has been translated in Polish here. In spite of increasing acceptance and support for queer people, we still live in a society that affords heterosexual individuals more rights, power, and freedom. Straight people might not consciously think about or acknowledge it, but straight privilege influences everything — from their daily lives to their career goals.

As a result, straight narratives vastly differ from queer ones. A similar phenomenon occurs whenever baby boys smile at me in the grocery store.

Their attraction to another gender is already anticipated and expected. Very few parents are going to be surprised or angry that their child is straight.

Queer people have to come out over and over again throughout their lives.

No one is going to insist that heterosexuality is just a phase. It might be unsettling to hear this inbut you can still be fired for being queer in the majority of states. Depending on the area, The heterosexual privilege checklist queer person risks facing everything from street harassment to hate violence — and, yes, even the threat of being murdered — when they go out in public.

Straight couples can hold hands or kiss in public without fear of scrutiny, retaliation, or death. Sometimes, when a queer person decides to come out, they risk disappointing their parents or losing a friend.

Just about every form of media is positively dripping with heterosexuality. From dewy Disney fantasies to awkward coming-of-age tales and zany romcoms, the heterosexual couple is a bedrock of our culture. In seemingly endless incarnations, straight people always manage to get their happy ending, no matter how many obstacles are in their way or how stubborn they are.

Remember that rosy coming-of-age story? Lighthearted or nonchalant stories of sexual self-discovery are few and far between.

Gay male characters tend to fall into one of two stereotypes: Writers have a nasty habit of killing them off The heterosexual privilege checklist part of some half-assed, poorly executed social commentary — in subtext, of course! Everyone has different reasons for not wanting to be out to certain people or not wanting to be out at all. Imagine not being able to speak freely about the person you love or just not being able to swap silly dating misadventure stories with your friends.

Straight people have the luxury to divulge as much information as they want about their personal lives without worrying about the reactions of their audience.

She is particularly interested in examining the representation of marginalized identities in media. Follow her on Twitter ErinTatum Found this article helpful?

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Well below is the heterosexual privilege checklist. On a daily basis I am never asked to speak for everyone who is heterosexual. I can be sure.