Candace Stewart

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

difficulties for these individuals.

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

like their problem will not be cared for anyways.

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

their bravery." (McBride)

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

programs, keeping vital information from all students. (Blumenfeld)

 Candace Stewart
4/24/2018
POLS-1100-502
Term Essay: Heterosexism

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

the aftermath that comes with heterosexism.

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

Rights Campaign, In Utah:

42% of LGBTQ children say they live in a community that doesn’t accept them

92% of LGBTQ youth hear “negative messages about being LGBT”

 Candace Stewart
4/24/2018
POLS-1100-502
Term Essay: Heterosexism

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.

"Fact Sheet on LGBT Youth." n.d. Religious Institute. Web. 30 4 2018.

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.

"LGBTQ Youth." n.d. Equality Utah. Web. 30 4 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.