heterosexism

[ het-er-uh-sek-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. a prejudiced attitude or discriminatory practices against gay people by heterosexuals.

heterosexism

/ ˌhɛtərəʊˈsɛkˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, practised by heterosexuals against homosexuals

Derived Forms

• ˌheteroˈsexist, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• het·er·o·sex·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterosexism¹

First recorded in 1980–85; hetero(sexual) + sexism

Example Sentences

The message from my childhood of a path anchored in heterosexism — modeled by my neighborhood, extended family and the media — provided no language, no representation of a different option.

From Salon

Whiteness also intersects with, supports and reproduces other mechanisms of marginalization and exclusion like classism, sexism, heterosexism and ableism, among others, to establish and perpetuate hierarchy among white people as well.

From Seattle Times

The Boston Anarchist Bookfair says its goal is to “destroy capitalism, imperialism, patriarchy, heterosexism, racism, colonialism, statism and all other forms of oppression.”

From Washington Times

Ms. Martin was referring to a guide previously sent to students and published on the college’s website that offered a glossary of politically correct terminology like privilege, white supremacy, heterosexism and toxic masculinity.

From Washington Times

How do you reconcile your love of certain types of humor with the current increased awareness of the overt and inadvertent sexism, racism, heterosexism and more in popular entertainment?

From Los Angeles Times