*toss* (now we will wait)
I got this all from this user: http://users.livejournal.com/_emewd_/
I was struck by the idea that some members of society carry with them a "knapsack" of rights and privileges that they benefit from without even realizing that they have this position of power. I translated this idea to outline a heterosexual invisible knapsack of rights and privileges that may not be readily apparent.
1. I can walk down the street holding hands with my boy/girlfriend or spouse with a reasonable absence of fear of retaliation.
2. I can introduce my boy/girlfriend or spouse to parents and friends without fearing that they will object to or be disgusted by his/her gender.
3. I can look forward to finding a person with whom I share a life long love and have the option of having that bond legally recognized in marriage.
4. I can benefit from hundreds of legal and financial benefits that are offered only to a married couple.
5. I do not fear losing a job, a child, a friend, a family member, or my life due to my sexual orientation.
6. I do not expect to hear my sexual orientation used as an insult.
7. I do not expect to see my sexual orientation ridiculed on TV or in the movies.
8. I do not live in fear of someone finding out who or what gender I desire.
9. People do not fear being called or being accused of having my sexual orientation.
10. I do not speak for all those of my sexual orientation.
11. I do not expect to have my actions, beliefs, mistakes, etc. attributed to my sexual orientation.
12. My sexual orientation is not a subject of gossip.
13. I do not feel obligated to tell others of my sexual orientation.
14. I do not fear or am not discouraged from telling others my sexual orientation.
15. I am never told that I am loved, accepted, or tolerated "in spite of" my sexual orientation.
16. I can go to a school dance or function with my boy/girlfriend or spouse without special permission or fear of rejection due to his/her gender identity.
17. I can expect to see cards and gifts for couples that cater to my sexual orientation.
18. I do not expect my sexual orientation to be of any special significance.
19. People do not assume that I am trying to "convert" them to my sexuality.
20. People do not question my parenting ability due to my sexual orientation.
21. People do not assume that I am more likely to commit child abuse because of my sexual orientation.
22. People do not consider my sexual orientation to be "contagious."
23. I am statistically less likely to commit, attempt, or consider suicide and less likely to experience depression in my lifetime.
24. I can open a magazine and take a relationship quiz and expect to see the gender of myself and my boy/girlfriend or spouse.
25. I can watch a television show, watch a movie, or read a mainstream novel and see a relationship like mine.
26. I can work with/spend time around children without people assuming I am out to molest them.
27. I can say a celebrity of my preferred sex is hot without everyone in the room looking at each other awkwardly.
28. I can compliment a member of the same sex without being accused of hitting on the complimentee.
29. I can find potential relationships in "conventional" places, like school or work without having to make sure the other person shares the same sexuality as me first.
30. As a woman, I do not get bashed when I am feminine for being a "straight-pretender" or "Friday night lesbian" and when I am masculine am bashed for "trying too hard" or "buying into stereotypes."
31. I do not have to explain to the ignorant how me and my significant other have sex.
32. There is a culture for single people of my sexuality outside of major metropolitan areas.
I was struck by the idea that some members of society carry with them a "knapsack" of rights and privileges that they benefit from without even realizing that they have this position of power. I translated this idea to outline a heterosexual invisible knapsack of rights and privileges that may not be readily apparent.
1. I can walk down the street holding hands with my boy/girlfriend or spouse with a reasonable absence of fear of retaliation.
2. I can introduce my boy/girlfriend or spouse to parents and friends without fearing that they will object to or be disgusted by his/her gender.
3. I can look forward to finding a person with whom I share a life long love and have the option of having that bond legally recognized in marriage.
4. I can benefit from hundreds of legal and financial benefits that are offered only to a married couple.
5. I do not fear losing a job, a child, a friend, a family member, or my life due to my sexual orientation.
6. I do not expect to hear my sexual orientation used as an insult.
7. I do not expect to see my sexual orientation ridiculed on TV or in the movies.
8. I do not live in fear of someone finding out who or what gender I desire.
9. People do not fear being called or being accused of having my sexual orientation.
10. I do not speak for all those of my sexual orientation.
11. I do not expect to have my actions, beliefs, mistakes, etc. attributed to my sexual orientation.
12. My sexual orientation is not a subject of gossip.
13. I do not feel obligated to tell others of my sexual orientation.
14. I do not fear or am not discouraged from telling others my sexual orientation.
15. I am never told that I am loved, accepted, or tolerated "in spite of" my sexual orientation.
16. I can go to a school dance or function with my boy/girlfriend or spouse without special permission or fear of rejection due to his/her gender identity.
17. I can expect to see cards and gifts for couples that cater to my sexual orientation.
18. I do not expect my sexual orientation to be of any special significance.
19. People do not assume that I am trying to "convert" them to my sexuality.
20. People do not question my parenting ability due to my sexual orientation.
21. People do not assume that I am more likely to commit child abuse because of my sexual orientation.
22. People do not consider my sexual orientation to be "contagious."
23. I am statistically less likely to commit, attempt, or consider suicide and less likely to experience depression in my lifetime.
24. I can open a magazine and take a relationship quiz and expect to see the gender of myself and my boy/girlfriend or spouse.
25. I can watch a television show, watch a movie, or read a mainstream novel and see a relationship like mine.
26. I can work with/spend time around children without people assuming I am out to molest them.
27. I can say a celebrity of my preferred sex is hot without everyone in the room looking at each other awkwardly.
28. I can compliment a member of the same sex without being accused of hitting on the complimentee.
29. I can find potential relationships in "conventional" places, like school or work without having to make sure the other person shares the same sexuality as me first.
30. As a woman, I do not get bashed when I am feminine for being a "straight-pretender" or "Friday night lesbian" and when I am masculine am bashed for "trying too hard" or "buying into stereotypes."
31. I do not have to explain to the ignorant how me and my significant other have sex.
32. There is a culture for single people of my sexuality outside of major metropolitan areas.