Abstract
In this article, discourse analysis, combined with lesbian feminist politics, are used to explore subtle forms of heterosexism in language, a social phenomenon that I have termed "mundane heterosexism," because of its everyday nature. Drawing on feminist understandings of subtle sexism and discursive psychology I analyse three forms of mundane heterosexism derived from (predominantly) tape-recorded antiheterosexism training session data: (1) prejudice against the heterosexual, (2) nonheterosexuality as a deficit and (3) refusing diversity. Two levels for challenging mundane heterosexism are discussed. interactional counterarguments, and broader societal campaigns. I conclude by advocating the necessity of further detailed analyses of the construction of mundane heterosexism, and stress the importance of heterosexism for feminist research.
© 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 541-554 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Women's Studies International Forum |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2001 |
Keywords
- gay men
- attitudes
- discourse
- education
- lesbians