Heterosexism in American Culture

Introduction

The heterosexism is the "system of thought by ideology of heterosexuality, the norm only to be followed in sexual practice" It may include the presumption that everyone is heterosexual or that the attraction towards persons of the opposite sex is the only standard and, therefore, is superior. Heterosexism is also the discrimination and prejudices that favor heterosexuals at the expense of gays, lesbians and bisexuals (Johnson, p. 149).

According to Gail Dines, author of Gender, Race, and Class in Media: A Text-Reader, heterosexism is "encoded in the major social institutions, cultural and economic society and represents the character of these"(Jung, p. 123). Thus, heterosexuals are not the preserve of heterosexism. People of any sexual orientation, including gays, lesbians, and bisexuals, have a capacity to hold heterosexist beliefs, which are derived from the notion of cultural essentialism that wanting sex (the male) and femininity (the female) complement.

Dicussion

It is more than he was simply gay. He had the highest diving score in Olympic history in the final round, he stopped the Chinese and stunned the entire nation of China, and he had a real story of love (he could not afford to get his partner and mom to the games).

NBC

Matthew Mitcham being gay is more about "oh cool, he is gay". It is about a hero, and image. He slapped all the stereotypes in the face. He is an inspiration to tons of young gay athletes now. China, a nation that dislikes homosexuality was stopped by a homosexual from getting a sweep of golds in diving. He went through depression and almost quit the sport entirely.

NBC already knew about his homosexuality, it was on their website even. BBC, Australian news networks, and other international networks talked about it, yet NBC did not. His story was real, a true Olympian ...