Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence
by: Adrienne Rich
What exactly is "compulsory heterosexuality? It is the idea that female heterosexuality is both assumed and enforced by the "system" aka the government.
When reading this article, I felt Adrienne Rich was a angry woman because she is a lesbian and has met some the challenges she referred to in her article. While most of the challenges are still being faced by the LGBTQ community, they are making progress.
Why is heterosexuality assumed and enforced? Again, I feel this is something taught to us as children because that is what our parents and grandparents were taught. So, the question is why? Could it be the teachings of the bible? In Genesis 2 it claims that the human race started with Adam and Eve a heterosexual couple. They were commanded to multiply and fill earth. It also states that "For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh"
Another point I would like to touch upon is the comment "the lesbian, unless in disguise, faces discrimination in hiring and harassment and violence in the street". I disagree. ALL women are subjected to this behavior not just lesbians. Woman, regardless of sexual orientation, have been discriminated against in the workplace and continue to be. However, in a recent article I read, it says that lesbian women make more money than straight women.
I was disturbed when I read how a married woman who claimed to be a lesbian was subjected to "couch therapy" basically she was raped by her husband simply because she confessed her orientation as being an lesbian.
After reading and researching this article, I believe that we should have a choice as to how we want to live because just as the bible mentions heterosexuality there is also homosexuality that is mentioned in the bible but because these words were not used during those times it was not identified as such. We live in a society were we put labels on everyone and everything. Why can't we just be?
6 reasons why the Bible is not against gays: http://www.religioustolerance.org/ashford01.htm
I believe we put lables on everything because the system teaches us we need order and structure.
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