(no subject)

[nny]

Curious thought: discussion of *isms doesn't include homosexuality, because it's not an *ism it's a *phobia, apparently. It kind of institutionally excuses it, doesn't it? Can't be helped, can't do anything about an irrational phobia, that's why it's irrational.

Comments

[wintercreek]

I see "heterosexism" used to address the tendency of society to erase other orientations altogether, and sometimes "cissexism" (which seems like it ought to be "cisgenderism," but that loses the tie to sexism that cissexism has) for the same re: erasure of transgendered people, so at least there's something out there.

But yeah, "homophobia" and "transphobia" do have the effect of excusing intolerance as a phobia, which. Ugh. Unacceptable.

[nny]

Yeah, and I use those frequently to discuss how the national curriculum fails - in one specific area, since it really fails to address reality in many areas. But they're not so well known outside of areas that are already used to the discussion of the issue, y'know? It's not something that I'd be able to use with the kids I work with, not in a meaningful way. :/

[thingswithwings]

This is one of the many reasons why I tend to say "heterosexism" instead - it also gets us away from bullshit like the "panic defense."

[nny]

Yeah, absolutely, and I appreciate that that's a valid term; as I said above, it's a word I'd use to discuss the way the national curriculum guidelines for sex education kind of fail massively, for instance, but it's not a word that I could use to check the kids I work with, who are perfectly happy to be considered homophobic.

And I can't even handle the fact that the panic defense exists as a concept. Ugh.

[thingswithwings]

:) See, I use it to check the kids I work with, but I work mostly with 18 year olds who would NOT be happy to be considered homophobic, so. I'm lucky in that regard. I think it can be used on an individual level as well as an institutional level - we just have to get used to it and get it into the common language. But I appreciate how that doesn't help you NOW.

[florahart]

I have heard people include it by referring to heterosexist behavior?

[villainny.livejournal.com]

Yeah, absolutely, but it's not commonly used outside of forums that are used to the discussion of such things, does that make sense? I've tended to see heterosexist used more as a means of describing exclusionary behaviour more than anything else, and it's not something I could use to talk about it to the kids I work with, who are currently perfectly happy to admit that they are homophobic.

If that all made any sense. XD

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

Makes sense to me. Almost as though they're parlaying a "gay panic" defence into their thinking. This species makes me tired. :(

[villainny.livejournal.com]

Heeeeee quote icon. :D

[chandri.livejournal.com]

I agree. This is why I tend to group them all under "bigotry." Also a much more satisfying accusation, with the hard consonant at the end. Accurate and efficient!