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'''Compulsory heterosexuality''' (often shortened to "comp het"), is the idea that [[Straight|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:
# Only liking the idea of being with someone of the opposite gender, not the reality.
# Confusing a strong dependency with someone of the opposite gender for [[Sexual Attraction|sexual attraction]] or [[Romantic Attraction|romantic attraction]].
# 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 [[Bisexual|bisexuals]], [[Pansexual|pansexuals]], and other [[Multisexual|multisexuals]] see compulsory heterosexuality as bi-erasure. This is not true, as anyone is capable of experiencing compulsory heterosexuality.
== References ==
# https://sourceful.us/doc/308/copy-of-am-i-a-lesbian-masterdoc
# https://undividedforkuleuven.com/2021/02/10/the-problem-with-comphet/
# https://transasdocorpo.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Compulsory-heterosexuality-and-lesbian-existence-2.pdf
<br />
[[Category:Terminology]]
Some common ways of experiencing compulsory heterosexuality include, but are not limited to:
# Only liking the idea of being with someone of the opposite gender, not the reality.
# Confusing a strong dependency with someone of the opposite gender for [[Sexual Attraction|sexual attraction]] or [[Romantic Attraction|romantic attraction]].
# 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 [[Bisexual|bisexuals]], [[Pansexual|pansexuals]], and other [[Multisexual|multisexuals]] see compulsory heterosexuality as bi-erasure. This is not true, as anyone is capable of experiencing compulsory heterosexuality.
== References ==
# https://sourceful.us/doc/308/copy-of-am-i-a-lesbian-masterdoc
# https://undividedforkuleuven.com/2021/02/10/the-problem-with-comphet/
# https://transasdocorpo.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Compulsory-heterosexuality-and-lesbian-existence-2.pdf
<br />
[[Category:Terminology]]