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Christin Rosado Assignment 07: V. Spike Peterson and Laura Parisi

Heterosexism is believed to be a precise way of analyzing the relationships of gender differences because in heterosexism a gender hierarchy is prevalent. For many years, the idea of heterosexuality has been deemed “normal” and as the true and “right” sexuality for one to follow. However, this sexuality tends to favor the male gender over the female gender. Heterosexism aims to create a gap between males and females, emphasizing not only their physical differences but, their worth. It also aims to deny the existence of other genders and sexual preferences that possess ideologies that are different from the ideas that it upholds. The blatant inequality within heterosexism makes it easy for people to analyze the difference in gender.

Another topic prevalent in heterosexism is human rights. This is a sexuality that favors males over females and heterosexual relationships over other forms of unions. It is structured so that the male upholds their prominent stature at the expense of others which are typically women. The human rights of women are minimized and the oppression they face daily is overlooked because their struggles benefit men. Furthermore, the masculinization of the state further deepens the oppression of women by aiming to control them for the betterment of both men and the state; with the hope of procuring heterosexuality for present and future generations. Human rights are again denied to those who do not conform to the ideology of heterosexism. Those who “rebel” do not receive the same human rights and protection that those who have conformed to heterosexuality obtain. Therefore, those who do not conform are not only forced to fend for themselves but they are not viewed as people who deserve basic human rights. This alternative form of oppression, is another way that heterosexism makes it easy for people to analyze the relationships of gender difference and human rights.

Both Spike Peterson and Laura Parisi believed that heterosexism was precise way to explore the relationships between differences in gender and human rights. In heterosexuality, the gender that you are determines the human rights that you will be given. Also, an individual’s decision on whether they want to follow heterosexuality also influences the rights they will receive. The obvious differences and oppression also make it easier for others to view how and why these issues arise. I believe that the way a person chooses to live their life or the gender a person was born with should not dictate their worth and be the deciding factor in the human rights they will obtain. Once people and the state begin to embrace the differences amongst its population it will move in the direction of equality and acceptance.