Heterosexism

A system of beliefs, attitudes, policies and practices that benefit heterosexual people (the dominant group) and gives them power over people of other sexualities. Heterosexism comes from the belief that heterosexual people (i.e. those attracted to the opposite sex) are normal and therefore better and more important than people of other sexualities (e.g. homosexual, bisexual, asexual, transgender, questioning). Sometimes even non-heterosexual people believe this themselves. This results in non-heterosexual people being treated unfairly, including being discriminated against (homophobia), attacked and denied the opportunities that heterosexual people have.