heterosexism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, Academic, Social-Political
Quick answer
What does “heterosexism” mean?
A system of attitudes, bias, or discrimination in favour of opposite-sex relationships and against same-sex relationships.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system of attitudes, bias, or discrimination in favour of opposite-sex relationships and against same-sex relationships.
An ideological system and social practices that assume heterosexuality is the only natural, normal, or superior form of sexuality, thereby marginalising and devaluing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people, often embedded in institutions and cultural norms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. 'Heteronormativity' is a closely related concept sometimes used in more academic contexts on both sides of the Atlantic.
Connotations
Strongly negative connotation of prejudice and injustice in both varieties.
Frequency
More frequent in academic, activist, and certain media discourses than in general everyday conversation. Frequency is comparable in UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “heterosexism” in a Sentence
heterosexism in [institution: the media, education]heterosexism of [agent: the policy, his remarks]challenge/combat heterosexismaccuse someone of heterosexismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “heterosexism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The policy effectively heterosexises the definition of family.
- (Note: 'heterosexise' is extremely rare; typically 'perpetuates heterosexism' is used.)
American English
- The curriculum heterosexizes relationships by only presenting traditional couples. (Rare)
adverb
British English
- The law was heterosexistically framed. (Rare, formal)
- He spoke heterosexistically about family values. (Rare)
American English
- The policy was heterosexistically exclusionary. (Rare, formal)
adjective
British English
- The report highlighted heterosexist assumptions in the healthcare guidelines.
- His heterosexist comments sparked a protest.
American English
- They called out the textbook's heterosexist bias.
- We need to dismantle heterosexist policies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training to describe biases in hiring or workplace culture.
Academic
Central term in sociology, queer theory, gender studies, and social psychology to analyse systemic bias.
Everyday
Mostly in discussions about social justice, politics, or personal experiences of discrimination.
Technical
Precise term in social sciences and activist literature to denote structural discrimination.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “heterosexism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “heterosexism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “heterosexism”
- Confusing with 'homophobia' (individual fear/hatred vs. systemic bias).
- Using it to describe personal preference instead of societal/systemic discrimination.
- Misspelling as 'heterosexistism'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Homophobia typically refers to individual, often irrational, fear, dislike, or hatred of LGBTQ+ people. Heterosexism refers to a broader, often unconscious, systemic bias that assumes heterosexuality is the norm and superior, embedded in laws, institutions, and cultural practices.
Yes, through internalised prejudice. A gay person might unconsciously uphold or believe in societal norms that privilege heterosexual relationships, a phenomenon known as internalised heterosexism.
No. Much of heterosexism is unintentional and stems from uncritically accepting dominant societal norms (implicit bias). Its impact, however, is harmful regardless of intent.
Heteronormativity is the often-unquestioned assumption that heterosexuality is the default, normal, and ideal sexual orientation. Heterosexism is the system of discrimination and prejudice that results from and enforces heteronormativity. They are closely intertwined concepts.
A system of attitudes, bias, or discrimination in favour of opposite-sex relationships and against same-sex relationships.
Heterosexism is usually formal, academic, social-political in register.
Heterosexism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhetərəʊˈsɛksɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhetəroʊˈsɛksɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specifically. The word itself functions as a technical/sociological term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HETEROsexism privileges HETEROsexual relationships as the only correct 'ISM' (system of belief).
Conceptual Metaphor
SYSTEM IS A STRUCTURE ('institutional heterosexism'), BIAS IS A BLIND SPOT ('unconscious heterosexism').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of heterosexism?