(Due Saturday by Noon)
Read the Heterosexual Questionnaire and take the time to answer the questions for yourself. Now read the following prompt and critically reflect upon the following questions.
This morning when you awoke from a night’s sleep, you became aware that society was no longer as you remembered it. In fact, it had universally made a 180-degree turn in sexual orientation and the world you remember as being a comfortable environment for heterosexuals like yourself no longer accepts people like you. You don’t want to return to isolation, so you must deal with the situation, and do it right now. But now you don’t fit in. Homo-erotic love is the required standard. Heterosexuals are moral outcasts. They are widely thought to molest children, and the marriage of your partner that you have looked forward to for several years will not be legally recognized. Procreation takes place in test tubes and hired wombs according to accepted procedures, and couples like you and your partner are considered hazardous to population growth. You turn on the TV news, only to see a demonstration on the courthouse steps by anti-heterosexual activists shouting ‘heterosexuality is sin’ and ‘ban the straights.’ A sense of doom envelops you as the truth sinks in. You have a cup of coffee and sit down to think about how you will deal with the situation.” What do you think? How will your life change? What will happen to your relationship with your family and friends, now all gay? Will you allow others to know that you are straight and risk the consequences? What might they be? How do you decide to deal with the situation? Why?
Please note that if you do not identify as straight, feel free to adjust this prompt in a way you see fit. Either examine and explain how you would feel as a part of the dominant privileged group, what you think would be different, or explain how things are for you now not fitting into the dominant category. If you identify as bi or fluid in some way, feel free to discuss this as not having a category and how in either situation bisexuality/fluid sexuality gets left out.
Please note that if you do not identify as straight, feel free to adjust this prompt in a way you see fit. Either examine and explain how you would feel as a part of the dominant privileged group, what you think would be different, or explain how things are for you now not fitting into the dominant category. If you identify as bi or fluid in some way, feel free to discuss this as not having a category and how in either situation bisexuality/fluid sexuality gets left out.
In 2-3 paragraphs, write some key insights drawn from BOTH of these exercises, and how it felt to answer the questions. Use course readings to discuss ways to navigate through this oppressive situation and how you see the world changing if homophobia was abolished.
I believe that the whole basic idea of this prompt is off. It is hard to think of a life style such as this because the world will never be like this. But if I had to imagine it I would imagine that everything in my life would change. I am not homophobic but I do not agree with the gay life style because of my religious beliefs and for this reason, If everyone in my life that i know suddenly became homosexual then I feel that I would have some serious struggles throughout life. In my family my parents and ones older than my parents are not very open to the idea of being gay, so if the roles were reversed completely than I would imagine that my family wouldn't not approve of my straightness. I would definitely tell people around me that I was straight because gay or not, sexuality is not something to hide I believe that hiding things such as that can lead to serious mental health problems and unhappiness.
ReplyDeleteIn "The Heterosexual Questionnaire" I can definitely see how questions such as these will lead to the bias of the heterosexual norms. But in concern to this, I believe that heterosexuality is ultimately the "norm." I believe there is a reason why a larger number of people are heterosexual and not homosexual. Like I said before, to me it is a matter of religion. Some of the questions on this list are not appropriate in my way of thinking such as the question, "If you never slept with a person of the same sex, is it possible that all you need is a gay lover?" Like I said before I am not homophobic but questions such as these are inappropriate to me and I think it is inappropriate behavior because of what I have been taught throughout my life and what I will continue to teach to my own children
After reading the “Heterosexuality Questionnaire,” I was faced with a totally new perspective. I never thought about what my life would be like if my sexual orientation was the minority. The questions were very eye opening. It felt extremely weird for me to answer these questions, especially “When did you discover your heterosexuality?” It is a question that I never thought of an answer for. I understand now how strange these questions feel for someone who is homosexual. They are just as foreign to them as the questions are to me.
ReplyDeleteI have never really considered how hard the lives of homosexuals are. Homosexuals are considered outcast and sinners by almost everyone around them. I can only imagine what it must be like to be told that you cannot marry or even love the person that you are attracted to. I would be devastated if someone told me that being with my boyfriend was wrong. And, it made me wonder how hard it would be later in life when we decided to have kids. I would hate to live in a world where I didn’t fit in, and the most offered solution would be “Just love someone else.” After reading the questionarre and putting myself in the shoes of a homosexual, I have a totally new perspective on how hard gays and lesbians have it.
I had also never considered the benefits of a life without homophobia. In “Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism,” Suzanne Pharr discusses what a group of women thought could happen if our world was stripped of Homophobia. Some of the things they came up with were “Kids won’t be called tomboys or sissies; they’ll just be who they are, able to do what they wish. Women will be able to work whatever jobs we want without being labeled masculine. There will be no gender roles. People will wear whatever clothes they wish, with the priority being comfort rather than the display of femininity or masculinity,” as well as several more. This workshop’s ideas made me think of all the other positive things that could happen if homophobia was taken out of our world. People could express themselves freely, with no persecution from peers or anyone around them. Maybe, without homophobia, our country could truly have equality. It will take a lot of work for this to happen, but maybe it is something we can achieve in the near future.
Having to answer these questions were extremely difficult for me. I never pictured myself being faced with questions like those, which made me realize how hard it is for a homosexual. Heterosexuals haven't walked in homosexual's shoes until these questions were asked and answered. I honestly could not picture a world where heterosexuals were considered wrong and sinful. No matter who you are, everyone wants to be accepted, so living in a world where what you were doing or who you were loving was wrong is unimaginable. If my sexual preference was the minority, I believe I would still be just as open about it. Of course it would be hard due to the pressures and 'disappointments' from other people, but I am who I am and I don't see that changing any time soon. Reading the questionnaire made me realize how hard it is for homosexuals in society today.
ReplyDeleteI am not opposed to gay people in any way, that it just not the lifestyle I choose. I feel that everyone is and was created equal no matter gender, class or sexual preference. I feel that it should be perfectly normal for people to love, marry and embrace whoever they desire. Answering the questions from the questionnaire made me feel awkward. I'm not homophobic in any way, and again I feel that everyone should be equal in each other's eyes. Homophobia is a huge issue in our society which is causing hate and unhappiness to people everywhere, which is no way is far. I feel that someday things will change and the public will start to make more of an effort when it comes to equality for human kind.
The questions that were asked in the Heterosexual Questionere were very difficult ones to answer. I do feel like I was born a heterosexual and now it makes sense to me when homosexuals say that they were born that way. The question that was asked about how do your parents or friends/roommates feel about your heterosexuality was very weird to me. I couldn't imagine what it would feel like to tell my parents and friends that I was heterosexual if it wasent considered the norm.
ReplyDeleteLiving in a world where heterosexual is frowned upon would be very tough. I would then see the world as a homosexual feels is our world today. The pain and hurt that would come with "coming out" to society would be so hard to deal with. This prompt actually made me feel quilty for not realizing what we are doing to homosexuals. If I didn't have the right to marry the person I was in love with (being opposite or same sex) I would feel so discriminated.
@Samantha Adams I agree with what you are saying about a world without homophobia. People would be able to express themselves freely and no one would have to feel like all those things that were brought up in Suzanna Pharr's essay.
ReplyDeleteIf I woke up one morning and became aware that the world no longer accepts heterosexuals like myself, I would be distraught. I think that this would be a very unusual situation. My life would change only in that people would view me as different and not the social norm. I would not pretend to be homosexual, because that is not who I am. However, I feel that my family and friends would not agree with my sexuality. If being a homosexual was the norm and included in my religion, my parents would most likely put me through counseling and try as hard as they could to make me a homosexual. They would only do this because they would not want me to go through life as an outcast or have a hard life.
ReplyDeleteI am heterosexual and agree with @Tori_Blackburn about how I am not homophobic, but because of my religious beliefs I do not agree with the gay lifestyle. In the Heterosexuality Questionnaire, I feel like I can answer the questions. What caused my heterosexuality was the way I was raised and my religious beliefs. There was never a time when I DECIEDED I was heterosexual, I have always been attracted to boys and never have had any kind of attraction to a female. I do not like the third question because I would never do that and cannot even imagine the situation. Moving on to the last question, I honestly do not think heterosexuals flaunt their sexuality. If anything, I feel that homosexuals flaunt their sexuality. I am not saying ALL homosexuals flaunt their sexuality, and maybe they aren’t flaunting it. Maybe they are just comfortable and content with who they are and their sexuality…but so are heterosexuals.
In the readings Pharr talks about lesbian baiting and how women are called names so that they will in a sense get back in the normal line. If homophobia was not an issue in our world, homosexuals would feel more equal. I do not think there is an exact way to navigate through these oppressions because in reality being homosexual is not the social norm.
This was definitely an eye-opening read, I have never even began to think about what it would be like if my sexuality was the minority, mainly because of my religious beliefs. Life would be completely different, discrimination would probably even be towards us. I feel that it would be really hard to deal with if being gay was considered normal by the public. Seeing things their way would be really different because it would be really weird to think that a man and a woman being in love or wanting to get married was not normal, or that them being married was illegal. In "The Heterosexual Questionnaire" i also agree with @Tori_Blackburn I am not homophobic but because of my religion I do not agree with being homosexual, and like @Katie Rissanen said, there was never a time when I decided I was heterosexual, I was born and raised in the church and I have always disagreed with being homosexual because of my own personal beliefs. I think that homosexuals flaunt their sexuality, not all of them, but some I feel like they are constantly defensive over their sexuality and some may be given a reason to be, but there are a lot of heterosexuals who may not agree but we leave them alone. If you are comfortable with your sex life, then live your life and stop letting other people affect it no matter what your sexuality is.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading "The Heterosexual Questionnaire" i gained a new perspective in the way of looking at people who are "gay". I can finally see that even though I personally do not agree with that specific lifestyle would never treat people or try and make them feel as if they could not belong just because their sexuality is the minority. To me it is just outrageous, especially after reading this, to see people even because of their religious beliefs and just how they feel about homosexuality and gender, treat people with such disrespect. I personally grew up catholic which is why I don’t necessarily agree with it but two years ago I found out that my dad’s brother and my cousin on my mom’s side are both homosexual. And through my entire life those two family members are probably the two I was ever closest to. And I just don’t see how if they are still the same person how people, especially their families, can love them any differently. To have that kind of strength and courage to come out in the open with how you really feel inside takes a lot of courage, and I am one to admit that I really don’t think I would have it in myself to do something like that.
ReplyDeleteAnd especially after reading that and thinking about the questions for myself, I understand that I do really believe that I was born heterosexual so if that I was born that way, why can’t some people be born homosexual? I don’t think I could even process what it would feel like to be rejected by your friends and family by the way you feel about another person. I feel like just because it is not a choice I would make myself, does not mean I think I can or for that matter should try and stop someone from loving whoever they want to love. And to be able to have that much hatred for a specific group of people, when people call themselves “homophobic” I feel like those people are just unhappy with their own lives that they feel the need to make someone else feel as miserable as they do about themselves.
After reading this article I see that homosexuals actually do have it very hard. I do not agree with the lifestyle but thats just a how some choose to live. Their lifestyle is not for me to judge, only God. I sometimes find myself distancing myself from "gays" but I dont try to do it on purpose, it is just something that happens. I do not want to attract any homosexuals because if they were to try and flirt, I get upset and I would hate t hurt feelings. I apologize for the way I feel, I have nothing against homosexuals, it is just not my lifstyle, but everyone should do whatever makes them happy.
ReplyDelete@samantha adams...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I wish the world wasnt full of homophobia. I am somewhat homophobic but If people were not so judgemental, including me, people could live their lives with no questions (freely)
@hnbarnes ...
ReplyDeletethat was well said, I agree 100%, couldnt have said it better.
If I woke up one morning and this major change in the world occurred where heterosexuals were no longer accepted and not considered the norm, I would be very upset and definitely confused. It’s kind of hard for me to even imagine because I don’t think that this is ever possible. My life would definitely change because I would no longer be considered normal and wouldn’t feel as comfortable. I wouldn’t change my sexuality because I am heterosexual. I couldn’t ever pretend to be something that I am not. I can’t imagine my friends and people that I love being around me being homosexual and feeling that it is normal because that is not how I was raised to believe.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I could answer the questions in the heterosexuality questionnaire. I think that the reason why I am a heterosexual is because of the way I was raised and the people that I grew up around. I grew up in a southern Baptist church and my beliefs don’t agree with that of homosexuals. Although I don’t agree with it, I am definitely not a homophobic. I was always attracted to boys since I was a little girl. I had little “boyfriends” when I was a little girl. I could never ever imagine being attracted to a female. That just isn’t me at all. I don’t think that heterosexuals flaunt their sexuality at all. I feel like there is no need for that because it is what is considered “normal.” I think that if you are comfortable with your sexuality then there is no need to flaunt your sexuality.
If life universally made a 180 degree turn in sexual orientation, I imaginge it would be quite uncomfortable for myself. I would be very uncomfortable knowing that there are people out there who are afraid of me due to my sexual preference. I will no longer have the privilge of venturing out in the world knowing that I will be accepted and fit in because I am like everyone else. Not only am I black but I'm also heterosexual now. I would now live in constant fear battling my own feelings along with the thoughts and actions of others and their suspicions about my sexual orientation. Making and keeping friends would be twice as hard; especially, since now I have to consider the consequences of them knowing. If I tell them I can probably expect that they will not want to be my friend. Possibly if they do agree to remain friends will they be ashamed of my friendship? When I leave the room I can expect to be the topic of every conversation. I will remain ashamed and afraid because I would not know when someone might actually want to express their hatred for me verbally or physically, so I would keep to myself and keep my words to a minimum. As far as family if I told I would risk getting kicked out of the house and lose all support from my mother from disgust and embarassment. I will no longer be accepted because of my lifestyle. Anytime I might be sick they would suspect I have contracted some sort of disease. My family would consider it as a phase because they are not willing to accept me for who I am. The possiblity of having a family and getting married is slim to none and will not be considered a time for celebration. I lose the option of religion because my religion does not support my lifestyle and I would go to church and hear my pastor talk about the damnation of my sould for all eternity. I would become trapped within myself.
ReplyDeleteIf homophobia were ablolished I think people would be more accepting of people who are different. I think people will not feel the need so much to dictate every aspect of people's lives. It's kind of a natural thing to be afraid of what we do not understand, but people would be more open to learning about others. Those who are homosexual will no longer feel the need to live a lie and could go on living peacefully as everyone else does without the constant thought of always being judged. There would no longer be gender roles because no one would have a point to prove. No one would feel as though they have to comply to certain rules in their particular gender to be socially acceptable. Also, I think affection will no longer be seen as a week emotion.
I found it really difficult to answer the questions simply because they are questions that no one really has to answer. Some of them were hard to answer because I had no answer. It is a little hard to give someone a reason for why you are the way you are.
@ Tori_Blackburn- I agree as well that some of the questions were somewhat inappropriate. That's how we feel about the questions but imagine how they feel because I'm sure they get questions like those all of the time.
ReplyDelete@ Annett Farrell- The questionnaire also made me see how hard homosexuals have it. I already had and idea but I never thought to imagine I was in their shoes and how I would actually feel.
I find it very difficult to put into perspective how things would change if the world made a 180 degree turn and heterosexuals were the minority. I think it would be very hard for anyone to adjust to any change of that magnitude if it happened over night without notice. I definitely agree with the fact it would be very challenging to "come out" to friends and family if I knew some people may feel different about me after. This is definitely an exercise where you kind of get an insight on how some homosexual people are treated and what they have to go through. There are many things that play a part such as religion and groups going around with signs against what you stand for. I can't really imagine what that is like going through day in and day out. I don't necessarily think it is this easy to flip the script and get a taste of what gays and lesbians really have to deal with every day because this is just an exercise to make you think. I believe the only true way to know what is it like and how some people are treated would be for the world to actually take a 180 degree turn.
ReplyDeleteSome questions were definitely straight forward and caught me off guard. Like a lot of people have already stated, I never thought about the time I decided that I was heterosexual. I never thought I would have to think about that or figure out when that was. I guess I would venture to say that I was born that way because I have never had any other sexual preference.
There are some things you just don't think about or even address until put on the spot and this and one of those things. I myself never thought I would have to talk about when I decided about being heterosexual. Whether it was how I was raised or religious beleifs, I just never thought about flipping the switch and seeing the other side of it. I don't necessarily believe it is this simple to get a glimpse of how a homosexual person is viewed because you just simply cannot grasp something like that unless you experience it first hand. However this does shed some light on things I never realized before. It would definitely be difficult to talk to family and friends about being heterosexual. It is hard nowadays to express all feelings because no one wants to get torn down or left hanging. To think I would be considered a moral outcast and the minority and have to deal with that is pretty scary. Seeing all the religious signs and everyone believing I was a sinner would be hard to cope. You have to consider how everyone would react. Some people are more sensitive than others and it could really affect how some people judge you. Just thinking that starting a family and all of that would be completely changed is mind-boggling. Different sex marriages would be a huge issue and having kids would be as well. It is a lot to take in and I'm not really sure how I would deal with it honestly.
ReplyDeleteThe questionaire was really straight forward and confused me. Some questions had a simple answer and some I didnt even know how to answer. Some of the questions were even uncomfortable. Being put on the spot like that was interesting and gave me a different perspective and I have never even tried to think of answers to questions like these. All in all is definitely gives you some insight on how difficult things can be for someone who is homosexual. Many religions out there do not agree with it and I'm sure it can be very hard for young men and women to discuss their sexual preferences with other people if that certain preference is the minority.
Until I answered these questions, I never really thought of the struggles that gays and lesbians have to go through on a normal biases. No one wants to have to hide who they are and they shouldn’t have to. When you look at heterosexuality in the perspective that homosexuals do you realize the number of problems that they face everyday. Telling my family that I am straight would be hard because I would not only be judged but I would also run the risk of not being accepted. I would want everyone to know about my sexuality even if they did not agree with it, because that apart of who I am.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my relationship with my family goes, I know that I would be fighting a hard battle because I was raised in a way that would not really support homosexuality.
My friends would be somewhat accepting but I know deep down inside that I would really be an outcast for being straight. Other consequences would consist of people automatically judging you based on your sexual preference before someone even had the chance to get to know who you really are. After answering these questions, I felt as if I actually was living in a world that went by these circumstances. I felt shameful and unaccepted. You never really know what others are feeling until you put yourself in someone else's shoes.
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ReplyDeleteHeterosexism is a quality people do not choose. There is not a certain time that I “choose” whether or not I wanted to be attracted to men or women. People who say that homosexual people chose to like members of the same sex are ignorant and close-minded. My parents know that I am heterosexual but it would not matter either way. I feel like my parents would support me regardless of my sexual orientation.
ReplyDeleteI do not flaunt my sexuality. The point made about men and women not knowing how to please each other in bed because they are so different is valid. Most of the time men and women are making love it is spur of the moment and everything that is going on just feels right. I can become a whole person without experiencing homosexuality not because of fear, but because I am just not interested in women. I know it must be hard for people who are homosexual to live in this judgmental world. If the world were to switch up and change to where straight people were the outcasts I don't think anyone would know what to do. Even though were are the larger group I don't think we would have as hard of a time as gay people do.
@A. Hardin i agree that it is difficult to put yourself in that position when you are so used to what normalcy consists of already.
ReplyDelete@EmilyTurney i agree that the family situation would definitely be hard, i was raised religiously that being homosexual is wrong or not normal
@A.Hardin-I am not nervous to live in a world of the roles switched. I also liked how we got a somewhat different point of view of what homosexuals go through.
ReplyDelete@EmilyTurney-I thought the same thing about how people don't want to hide who they are. I honestly don't think I could keep my sexuality a secret. I think I would be proud of what I stand for either way.
@Mallorie Grissom-I do agree that it would be very difficult to try a see how it would be in another persons shoes. You never know how it really is unless you actually see first hand.
ReplyDelete@Malori.Yarchak-I feel that we both know it would be a hard thing to deal with waking up one morning and everything being different. it is a hard concept to grasp.
@ Malori- I think we had the same ideas about this blog. We both thought that we couldnt imagine it if heterosexuality was the minority.
ReplyDelete@Tariah Hunt- I agree with you on how homosexuality should never force someone to live a lie. How uncomfortable that has to be for them and even unfair. We have the freedom to be ok with our boyfriend, but imagine not being able to show any emotion towards them. It is completely unfair and hopefully people will allow homosexuals to be able and be ok with whot they are.
@Meredith- I agree with you when you say heterosexism is not a quality that people choose. I feel as if you are born with those certain qualities.
ReplyDelete@Meg Warren- I agree with you also when you say how hard it would be for us to live in a world where heterosexism was not accepted. Life would be so different!
@Meredith, i agree with you that it is not chosen
ReplyDelete@A.Hardin, I feel that it would be nervewracking to swtich rules in this world. Neither of us know exactly what it is like to experience something that is not familiar to us
After reading and analyzing the “Heterosexuality Questionnaire” I was not only forced to put myself in someone else’s shoes but I was able to see a completely new perspective. I have never imagined what my life would be as a minority in this country because I have never been forced to live in a way that I would be. Some of the questions were not necessarily uncomfortable to answer but they weren’t things I have thought of before. However, someone who is a homosexual probably says the same thing. They aren’t questions that we all wrestle with because they aren’t questions we think about. However, I never thought of my parent’s disapproval or support being a factor as they have never addressed the questions to me nor have I addressed them to myself. It is something that is assumed of my sexual orientation however if it was different then I would think that these questions would be necessary as to there would be no me holding anything back and I would be able to get my life out in the open and be fully happy with myself. I have never personally understood the lives or how hard the lives of the homosexuality race is, it has never been something that has come to discuss.
ReplyDeleteAs for my family, I was not raised where homosexuals were bashed nor brought up. I was raised in a very respective home however I’m not sure what my parents reaction would be if I told them I was not straight. I know there is no doubt my friends and them would love me just as much as still accept me it is just the one difference, such as your sexual orientation, that affects a lot of things and strains relationships that you already have. After answering these questions, there is no question that a sense of quilt was brought to me as I never put myself in other peoples positions until now.
@Tariah Hunt ... I agree with what you are saying. I would also lose my religion and somewhat acceptance from my family too.
ReplyDelete@AnnetteFarrell ... You are right about how everyone wants to be accepted. I would also be just as open about my sexuality whether it is the minority or not.