Read on Twitter
"Heteronormative culture privileges heterosexuality as normal and natural."
When you demand that someone come out, or be forever labelled allocishet, this is the bullshit you are peddling.
A belief that cis and straight are the default, until "proven" otherwise.
When you demand that someone come out, or be forever labelled allocishet, this is the bullshit you are peddling.
A belief that cis and straight are the default, until "proven" otherwise.
We talk about how sexuality & gender can be fluid, evolving, changing, either in form or understanding.
We talk about how stepping from the closet can be dangerous, that many have to wait, that safety is a separate matter from privilege.
So why assume gender & sexuality? Ever?
We talk about how stepping from the closet can be dangerous, that many have to wait, that safety is a separate matter from privilege.
So why assume gender & sexuality? Ever?
There is a large disconnect between empathy for those struggling with identity, and demanding that those with a voice of any size know and tell exactly who they are.
Not only is their identity demanded, but their trauma, their experience, their "proof" of anything.
Not only is their identity demanded, but their trauma, their experience, their "proof" of anything.
When we criticise media for being produced by a "cishet" what are we actually demanding? That everyone disclose their sexuality and gender or face the default assumption of heteronormativity we claim to battle?
This is a culture problem, not one to weaponise against individuals.
This is a culture problem, not one to weaponise against individuals.
Forcing people out of any closet, to disclose trauma or experience, or face unrelenting heteronormative assumption is utterly counterproductive to making society more welcoming and safe for those outwith heteronormative bounds, and those with difficult and painful pasts.
Because sexuality, gender, trauma, mental illness, and many other key aspects of an indivual CANNOT be assumed by a bystander.
These are internal aspects of the self, and when you label someone as "cishet" it is you that is potentially denying that person's true self.
These are internal aspects of the self, and when you label someone as "cishet" it is you that is potentially denying that person's true self.
Battling heteronormativity is two-fold:
• not assuming an indivual is straight, allosexual, binary & cisgender by default
• widening representation of and by LGBTQ+ people in media and society
Rejecting the first, negatively impacts the second, & promotes heteronormativity.
• not assuming an indivual is straight, allosexual, binary & cisgender by default
• widening representation of and by LGBTQ+ people in media and society
Rejecting the first, negatively impacts the second, & promotes heteronormativity.
Heteronormativity does not just apply to sexuality, and never has.
But it doesn't take into account equally important aspects of the self such as trauma and other marginalisations.
Demanding "proof" from anyone is counterproductive.
But it doesn't take into account equally important aspects of the self such as trauma and other marginalisations.
Demanding "proof" from anyone is counterproductive.
That doesn't mean it's then impossible to criticise the overarching heteronormativity and bias of larger groups of people, either in society as a whole, or in publishing houses, production companies, and so forth.
The whole is not the individual.
The whole is not the individual.
But it does mean people need to take a long hard look at themselves when they relentlessly criticise an individual over their perceived heteronormative status
when that individual is not directly engaged in repeatedly identifying themself as non-LGBTQ+.
Yes, even the famous.
when that individual is not directly engaged in repeatedly identifying themself as non-LGBTQ+.
Yes, even the famous.
I am non-binary. I am bi. I have severe trauma. I have complex brain illnesses
I cannot "prove" any of the above.
I feel fortunate that I am able to speak openly on it, though on some I cannot, & on most I never could.
Heteronormativity must be fought, especially in ourselves.
I cannot "prove" any of the above.
I feel fortunate that I am able to speak openly on it, though on some I cannot, & on most I never could.
Heteronormativity must be fought, especially in ourselves.
