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Compulsory Heterosexuality

Compulsory heterosexuality (often shortened to "comp het"), is the idea that heterosexuality is enforced upon people through the patriarchy, heteronormativity, and general social pressures. It originated as a lesbian-only experience, but has been expanded to include anyone of any sexual orientation.

Some common ways of experiencing compulsory heterosexuality include, but are not limited to:

  1. Only liking the idea of being with someone of the opposite gender, not the reality.
  2. Confusing a strong dependency with someone of the opposite gender for sexual attraction or romantic attraction.
  3. Only being attracted to unobtainable people of the opposite gender, where they are unable to like you back.

History

Compulsory heterosexuality, as a term, was first wildly recognized with Adrienne Rich's title, "Compulsory heterosexuality and lesbian existence", which came out in 1980. Since then, the term as been more used. A google doc titled "Am I a Lesbian? Master doc" has been circulating around the internet, popularizing the term more.

Controversy

A small minority of bisexuals, pansexuals, and other multisexuals see compulsory heterosexuality as bi-erasure. This is not true, as anyone is capable of experiencing compulsory heterosexuality.

References

  1. https://sourceful.us/doc/308/copy-of-am-i-a-lesbian-masterdoc
  2. https://undividedforkuleuven.com/2021/02/10/the-problem-with-comphet/
  3. https://transasdocorpo.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Compulsory-heterosexuality-and-lesbian-existence-2.pdf


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