May 15, 2015
Today’s link features an Op-Ed from an Associate Professor of Social Work, Mark Henrickson, who assesses the recent study on homophobia in sports, Out on the Fields. The study’s findings show that there is still a lot of work to be done for peace and equality for sexual minorities, but it also indicates that related identity bullying is a problem for the sexual majority too.
“Heteronormativity is accompanied by the notion of heterosexual privilege, by which heterosexuals assume the right to establish ‘normal’ behaviour and relationships, and to demean non-heterosexually conforming behaviour.”
“Calling someone ‘queer’ or ‘faggot’ is not a gay problem: it is a straight problem. It is a problem for heterosexuals. People who engage in social bullying are lesser people because of their bullying, and they teach our children to be lesser, more intolerant people.”
“Heterosexual privilege in every country educates young people about how they must behave in order to avoid being excluded or humiliated, including ensuring that young people conceal any non-conforming identities.”
Professor Henrickson’s Op-Ed is featured on the New Zealand website, Scoop.
