(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. :/