In a thread in the GD, a member of this Group ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

raised, what I consider an interesting, and important question, that I would like to further explore. And, although I am not gay, I would like to think I am an ally of the LGBT Community.

The specific post was:

So what is the word, then, for systemic, institutional and pervasive oppression and discrimination that is based on something other than race? But bigotry against LGBT is pervasive, institutional to the point of containing legalized discrimination, and systemic.
So what's the word for that? I just don't care for any trope that attempts to minimize the oppression of LGBT people by straight people.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5234566

To which, I responded:

I really wish someone would explore this further ...

I agree that bigotry against LGBT is pervasive, institutional to the point of containing legalized discrimination, and systemic. More importantly, I would argue that there must be a term in the lexicon that reflects our recognition of that fact.

I suspect that, with the increase in GLBT studies, a term will be found/adopted; however, as with racial studies, it will take time ... it took 50+ years of academic study of racism to refine our understanding of the phenomena.

I, also, suspect that the term will originate in the GLBT community, as they describe their experiences and academia sheds it hetero-centric (I got that word from you ) world view.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5238445

Since the current state of Racism research has it that Racism is Bigotry plus, and/or in support of, systemic/institutional power ... and since, as was recognized above, the LGBT community faces the same systemic/institutionalized bigotry ... It would seem that we must advocate for/insist that a word be found to recognize this fact.

{ETA: My purpose posting this is to learn and I can only do that by listening to those most directly affected by the lack of a word. So my participation in this thread will be limited to asking (if necessary) clarifying questions.}

[closeupready]

1. Good question, and it deserves thoughtful responses.

I will get back to you on this tomorrow, and thanks for the thread.

[1StrongBlackMan]

2. Thank you ...

when last I checked ... It was 87 views, 2 recs and no responses.

[Fearless]

3. Orientationism is a bit of a mouthful I suppose

We are still losing the forest for the trees at the moment on this issue. Perhaps at some point in the future, we'll be able to look back at it from a different point of view and perhaps then we'll have a word for institutionalized homophobia. As for now, it's the status quo.

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. Agreed; but ...

the conversation starts when the conversation starts. No?

[Fearless]

5. True, but the conversation started a long time ago

There may not be a direct link to racism in terms of language for LGBT issues. Each group (of course not exclusive of one another) finds its own path to coping with the issues that affect them.

[1StrongBlackMan]

6. Touche ...

Now 1SBM ... Shhh!

[theHandpuppet]

7. I've always preferred the term heterosexism (heterosexist)

The reasons why are best outlined here:

http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/faculty_sites/rainbow/html/prej_defn.html

(excerpt)
Heterosexism: Around the same time, heterosexism began to be used as a term analogous to sexism and racism, describing an ideological system that denies, denigrates, and stigmatizes any nonheterosexual form of behavior, identity, relationship, or community (Herek, 1990). Using the term heterosexism highlights the parallels between antigay sentiment and other forms of prejudice, such as racism, antisemitism, and sexism.
Like institutional racism and sexism, heterosexism pervades societal customs and institutions. It operates through a dual process of invisibility and attack. Homosexuality usually remains culturally invisible; when people who engage in homosexual behavior or who are identified as homosexual become visible, they are subject to attack by society.

Examples of heterosexism in the United States include the continuing ban against lesbian and gay military personnel; widespread lack of legal protection from antigay discrimination in employment, housing, and services; hostility to lesbian and gay committed relationships, recently dramatized by passage of federal and state laws against same-gender marriage; and the existence of sodomy laws in more than one-third of the states.

Although usage of the two words has not been uniform, homophobia has typically been employed to describe individual antigay attitudes and behaviors whereas heterosexism has referred to societal-level ideologies and patterns of institutionalized oppression of non-heterosexual people.

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. Okay ...

I like, and will from this point on, reference "heterosexism." It makes sense to me how the article distinguishes between the individualized conduct of "homophobia" (liken it to bigotry) and the societal-leveled heterosexism.

Thanks. Now I'll go read the rest of the linked article.

[theHandpuppet]

8. By the way, you've always been a great ally to the LGBT community

Just wanted to thank you very much for your support!

[closeupready]

10. "Heterosexism" is a really good modern way of referring to it. Also,

Also, there are some really good historical studies of both Western and (more specifically) American culture that help explain the history of homophobia, why some cultures discourage and persecute gay people, and why others revere gay people and celebrate their existence, and why others appear(ed) completely indifferent to gays.

I've always recommended John Boswell's books, I guess because his book, "Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality" was the book that IMO really opened my eyes to the way Western society pressures its members to conform to religiously-dictated gender stereotypes. There are likely more current books equally as informative.

[1StrongBlackMan]

11. John Boswell ...

Off to the google I go!

Thanks.

[1StrongBlackMan]

12. Kicking for further discussion ...

I won't do so again.

If this is not something of interest to this group, I will push on. Thank you for the dialogue.