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Behind the Aegis

(53,823 posts)
13. I am not assured.
Thu May 14, 2015, 05:16 AM
May 2015

You don't seem to understand gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, and heterosexual are sexual orientations. Transgender relates to, well, it's in the name, gender, i.e. gender/sex identity. All transgender people are gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, or heterosexual, but not all gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, and heterosexual persons are transsexual; most are likely cisgendered. You are conflating gender identification and sexual orientation, and while closely related, they aren't the same and different issues are involved.

"And regard your comment, "That isn't heterosexism, that is anti-transgender bias". If I accept this at face value doesn't that mean that heterosexism is simply anti gay bias or even more simply homophobia?"

Again, you are conflating two different issues. Homophobia and heterosexism cross paths, but aren't always the same. Your reductive statement is similar to saying "white privilege is simply anti black bias or even more simply racism". There isn't anything "simple" about any of them.

"I am a bit flummoxed by that. You say your topic is about heterosexsim and how it affects people who are in a gay and lesbian or gay/lesbian relationship. I get that but I don't understand how sexual orientation is different from sexual identity. I would have thought they are different ways of referring to the same idea. "

Once again, you are conflating two issues. "Sexual orientation" is how one is "oriented to act sexually" meaning same-sex (male/male, female/female), other (opposite) sex (male/female), both sexes (male/female, male/male, female/female), or neither (asexual). "Sexual identity" (or sex/gender) is how one identifies physically, meaning, male, female, both, neither. I am 'oriented' to homosexuality because I identify as male and seek others who identify as the same.

"I think we can both agree the topic is complicated."

Yes, it is complicated, made even more so by not understanding the issues. The issues in the OP deal with the discrimination and challenges facing those who aren't heterosexual by way of those who are (mostly) the majority, heterosexuals, trivializing or obfuscating our concerns and issues.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Heterosexism: the Heteros...»Reply #13