Some Heterosexual Privileges

As a heterosexual,

I am privileged that I don't question my normalcy, sexually and culturally:

• I have role models of my sexual orientation
• I learn about heterosexual romance and relationships from fiction, movies, and TV
• I have positive media images of people with whom I can identify.

I am privileged to walk anywhere without fear of verbal or physical harm based solely on my sexual orientation.

I am privileged that I can be a member of ROTC or any other unit in the armed forces without fear of being "outed" and losing my scholarship or career.

I am privileged to join a fraternity or sorority without fear of being rejected based on my sexual orientation.

I am privileged to play varsity or professional sports without fear of being ostracized, harassed, or forced to withdraw from the team because of my sexual orientation.

I am privileged to interview for jobs and be able to discuss my significant other and/or family without fear of being discriminated against.

I am privileged to run for a leadership position without fear of others focusing only on my sexual orientation.

I am privileged to be employed as a teacher (or in any profession that works with youth) without fear of being fired because I am assumed to be corrupting children.

I am privileged to be able to date the person of my desire without being harassed.

I am privileged to be able to talk freely about my romantic relationships with roommates, friends, and family.

I am privileged to walk anywhere holding my partner's hand or show affection to my partner in public without fear of being harassed.

I am privileged to express pain when a relationship ends from death or separation, and have others empathize with my pain.

I am privileged to marry ... which includes:

• Public recognition and support for an intimate relationship (e.g., receiving cards or phone calls celebrating my commitment to my partner).
• Joint child custody.
• Paid leave from employment when grieving the death of my spouse.
• Property laws, filing joint tax returns, inheriting from my spouse automatically under probate laws.
• Sharing health, auto, and homeowner's insurance policies at reduced rates.
• Immediate access to my loved ones in case of accident or emergency.
• Family-of-origin support for a life with a spouse.

I am privileged to raise children without threat of state intervention and without my children having to worry that their friends might reject them because of their parent's sexuality.

I am privileged to adopt children or foster-parent children.

I am privileged to receive validation from my religious community and to be able to be a member of the clergy/religious leadership.

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