Heterosexual Privileges

This list is based on Peggy McIntosh’s famous article on white privilege. These dynamics are but a few examples of the privilege which heterosexual people have.

On a daily basis as a heterosexual person…

1.       If I pick up a magazine, watch TV or a movie, or play music, I can be certain my sexual orientation will be represented.

2.       I do not have to fear that if my family or friends find out about my sexual orientation, there will be economic, emotional, physical, or psychological consequences.

3.       I do not grow up with games that attack my sexual orientation.

4.       I am not accused of being abused, warped, or psychologically confused because of my sexual orientation.

5.       I can go home from most meeting, classes, and conversations without feeling excluded, fearful, attacked, isolated, outnumbered, unheard, held at a distance, stereotyped or feared because of my sexual orientation.

6.       I can be sure that my classes will require curricular materials that testify to the existence of people with my sexual orientation.

7.       I do not have to defend my heterosexuality.

8.       I can easily find a religious community that will not exclude me for being heterosexual.

9.       Because of my sexual orientation, I do not need to worry that people will harass me.

10.   I am not identified by my sexual orientation.

11.   I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help, my sexual orientation will not work against me.

12.   I can walk in public with my significant other and not have people double-take or stare.

13.   I can choose to not think politically about my sexual orientation.

14.   I can be pretty sure that the neighbors where I live will be friendly, or at least, neutral.

15.   Our families and church community are delighted to celebrate with us the gift of love and commitment.

16.   When my partner is seriously ill, I know I will be admitted to the intensive care unit to visit him/her.

17.   The books that my children read in school contain stories and pictures of families much like ours.

18.   I can find appropriate cards for my partner to celebrate special occasions like anniversaries.

19.   I am not grouped because of my sexual orientation.

20.   My individual behavior does not reflect on people who identified as heterosexual.

21.   I can kiss a person of the opposite gender without being watched and stared at.

22.   Nobody called me “straight” with maliciousness.

23.   People can use terms that describe my sexual orientation and mean positive things (e.g. “straight as an arrow” or “straightened out”) instead of demeaning terms (e.g. “That’s gay or “being queer.”)

24.   I can be open about my sexual orientation without worrying about my job.

25.   I can get married and have it recognized in all states.

26.   I have the privilege of being unaware of my heterosexual privilege.