heterosexism

Definition

The assumption made when relating to others that everyone is heterosexual.

Etymology

From heterosex(ual) + -ism; modelled on sexism.

Example Sentences

• "One of the driving forces behind slash and femslash is the pervading heterosexism of commercial media – if television will not give us the due proportion of same-sex eroticism we are entitled to expect, then we will make it for ourselves."