Challenging Heterosexism and Homophobia

Educate Yourself 
 

  • Read gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender literature and history  
  • Read newspapers or journals that feature gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender news/issues  
  • Go through a whole day imagining yourself to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender 
  • Attend gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender speakers, films, workshops, cultural events  
  • Attend a meeting of a group such as PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) 
  • Listen to and learn from gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people 

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    Model Non-heterosexist or Non-homophobic Behavior and Attitudes 
     

  • Take pride in your same sex friendships  
  • Use inclusive language like partner or date rather than boyfriend/girlfriend or wife/husband 
  • Make friends with and get close to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people  
  • Don't make assumptions about others' sexual orientations or genders 
  • Don't assume that being gay or lesbian is just about being sexual  
  • Don't assume gays or lesbians don't have, like, or want children  
  • Keep confidential information you have about others' sexual or gender orientations 
  • Use the same standards for same gender affection in public that you use for opposite gender affection 

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    Create an Inclusive Culture and a Welcoming Environment 
     

  • Assume that people in your residence hall, classes, groups, campus, and/or community are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender 
  • Assume that closeted gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people in your residence hall, classes, groups, campus, and/or community are wondering how safe the environment is for them; provide safety by making it clear you accept and support all people  
  • Put up bulletin board displays that include same sex couples or references to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender lives 
  • Post flyers announcing events of interest to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Remember there is a heterosexual assumption, so actively advertise that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are welcome, especially at parties or dances  
  • Find out about and share resources and information on gay-affirmative service providers, events, bookstores, bars, etc. 
  • Say the words gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender out loud; be aware that there are potentially people around you that are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender even if none are out.

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    Educate Others 
     

  • Sponsor a workshop on homophobia 
  • Sponsor a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender speakers bureau program  
  • Sponsor films like Pink Triangles, Times of Harvey Milk, Before Stonewall, Personal Best, Parting Glances, Desert Hearts, etc.  
  • Set up bulletin board displays on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues/culture/people 
  • Have informal discussions where you live, go to school, work, groups, and friends  
  • Offer alternatives, accurate information, etc. when you hear homophobic stereotypes or myths 
  • Write articles for a news paper on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues; write letters to the editor 

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    Confront Overt Incidents 
     

  • Interrupt heterosexist/gender jokes, slurs, comments, or assumptions  
  • Actively react to anonymous anti-gay graffiti  
  • Get support for yourself when confronting incidents  
  • Make clear to all who are involved both relevant policies and your own feelings  
  • Provide support to the victim/target of the attack  
  • Critically review local media for heterosexual bias and call/write editors with complaints/suggestions 

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    Take a Public Stand 
     

  • Wear a button such as "I support gay rights" or "How dare you presume I'm heterosexual" 
  • Attend rally or march supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people; write a letter to the school paper  
  • Sign a petition supporting gay rights  
  • Promote gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender nondiscrimination policies  
  • Campaign to pass gay rights bill 
  • Join an organization that promotes gay rights  
  • Form a support/activist group for heterosexual allies  
  • Organize to get more resources on your campus/community: an office for GLBT Concerns; lesbian and gay studies courses/program; pro-lesbian/gay counselors; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender speakers, cultural events, etc. 

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    Adapted from: 
    Diversity Works 
    201 N. VALLEY RD.  
    PELHAM, MA 01002 
    (413)256-1868 

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