The Heterosexual Questionnaire

The Heterosexual Questionnaire

This questionnaire is an example of straight privilege. I copied it from my textbook, The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination. If you're straight, please read this and give it some thought.

Martin Rochlin (1977) developed a set of questions for heterosexuals that are similar to those gays and lesbians are often asked about when disclosing their sexual orientation, but that heterosexuals are rarely asked.

• What do you think caused your heterosexuality?
• When and how did you decide you were heterosexual?
•  Is it possible that your heterosexuality is just a phase that you may grow out of?
•  Is it possible that your heterosexuality stems from a fear or dislike of others that are the same gender as you?
•  If you’ve never slept with a person of the same sex, is it possible that all you need is a good gay lover?
•  Do your parents know you’re straight? Do your friends and/or roommate know? How did they react?
• Why do you insist on flaunting your heterosexuality? Can’t you just be who you are and keep it quiet?
• Why do heterosexuals place so much emphasis on sex?
• A disproportionate majority of child molesters are heterosexual. Do you consider it safe to expose children to heterosexual teachers?
• Just what to women and men do in bed together? How can they truly know how to please each other, being so anatomically different?

That heterosexuals are rarely asked these questions reflect a form of privilege, especially the freedom to talk about personal relationships opening without seeming to flaunt one’s sexuality, the knowledge that one’s heterosexuality will not be used to undermine achievement, and the assurance that one’s hiring, promotion, or firing are unrelated to sexual orientation (Johnson, 2006).