Heterosexual Privilege

Gruffudd · ‎26-06-2016

There are certain things that I as a queer person have to think about, face up to, confront, suffer, that heterosexual people can live with as some kind of privilege and take for granted. Lucky them, so I thought I'd make a list of some of those things from my experience and the brains trust on the internet, just to say to other LGBTI people, you are not alone.

Expressing affection in most social situations and not expecting hostile or violent reactions from others.
Expecting to be around others of your sexuality most of the time. Not worrying about being the only one of your sexuality in a class, on a job, or in a social situation.
Living with your partner and doing so openly.
Expressing pain when a relationship ends from death or separation and receiving support from others.
Learning about romance and relationships from fiction movies and television.
Raise, adopt, and teach children without people believing that you will molest them or force them into your sexuality.
Not having to hide or lie about women/men only social activities.
Acting, dressing, or talking as you choose without it being a reflection on people of your sexuality.
Joint child custody or being recognised as the other parent on a birth certificate.
Going wherever you wish and know that you will not be harassed, beaten, or killed because of your sexuality.
Not worrying about being mistreated by the police or victimized by the criminal justice system because of your sexuality.
Legal marriage to the person you love.
Knowing that your basic civil rights will not be denied or outlawed because some people disapprove of your sexuality.
Expect that your children will be given texts in school that support your kind of family unit and they will not be taught that your sexuality is a “perversion.”
Belonging to the religious denomination of your choice and know that your sexuality will not be denounced by its religious leaders.
Knowing that you will not be fired from a job or denied a promotion based on your sexuality.
Talking openly about your relationship, holidays, and family planning you and your lover/partner are doing.
Immediate access to your loved one in case of accident or emergency.
Having positive and accurate media images of people with whom you can identify.
Having role models of your gender and sexual orientation.

and I know there are more things that could be on the list... add them if you like.

justinok · ‎27-06-2016

Lynda people like to go to Mardi Gras because it's a 'tourist' thing. Some people like to look at the 'freaks'. It's just a fun show for a lot of straight people, for some of us it's really personal and political. How could it not be? 50 of us just got shot up in a nightclub the other week in a space that was supposed to be safe for us. The only reason the nightclub exists is because it's not always safe to be who we are elsewhere.

I can relate to so many of the things in Rob's list. At a few times in my life I have been able to take some of those for granted. I can't imagine what it would be like to live a life where I didn't have to think about any of those things. I imagine it would change the way I think and see the world, and I would be ignorant that its a problem. Maybe I would even get angry or annoyed when it was brought up, because it's not a problem for ME so why is it a problem for THEM?

Some people are good at 'walking a mile in someone elses shoes', some people don't even know where the shoe shop is and don't care to find out.,

Grazee · ‎10-08-2016

Rob, I've just tuned back into BB and saw your post. In essence you've just enumerated a Gay Bill Of Rights. I reckon a formal document be developed and then sent to all Members of Parliament for comment and eventual vote in the Parliament.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to see out inalienable rights voted into law.

Well done! You're an inspiration. Let's keep the ball rolling

Gruffudd · ‎10-08-2016

Thanks,

What inspires me is seeing other LGBTI people living life and being themselves. It seems it is more possible now then it has ever been. Rights are happening because states like Victoria are enacting human rights charters as a basic standard for all law. LGBTI rights are human rights, and our whole community benefits when they are upheld.

Rob.