Straight-biased

Straight-biased refers to an inclination or preference that favors heterosexual individuals, relationships, and lifestyles while often implicitly or explicitly marginalizing, excluding, or disadvantaging individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+. This bias can manifest in various forms, from subtle assumptions and microaggressions to overt discrimination in social, legal, economic, and political spheres. It often stems from societal norms, cultural values, and historical contexts that prioritize heterosexuality as the default or 'normal' way of being.

Straight-biased meaning with examples

• The company's employee handbook, while seemingly inclusive, used only examples of heterosexual couples for benefits illustrations, showcasing a Straight-biased approach. This unintentionally made LGBTQIA+ employees feel invisible and unsupported in their workplace. To remedy this, HR needs to include diverse family structures in company literature to create a truly inclusive environment for all.
• Certain historical legal codes had a Straight-biased perspective, criminalizing same-sex relationships while not penalizing heterosexual ones, reflecting systemic discrimination. The subsequent societal repercussions affected a plethora of factors including employment, healthcare, and familial ties, severely impacting marginalized groups. The need for LGBTQIA+ equality stems from correcting these past injustices.
• A school curriculum that exclusively presents heterosexual romantic relationships and family structures without acknowledging the existence or validity of LGBTQIA+ identities is straight-biased. Such a curriculum can contribute to a lack of representation and validation for LGBTQIA+ students, resulting in feelings of isolation and diminished sense of belonging within an academic institution.
• Public service announcements that exclusively feature heterosexual families and portray them as the 'ideal' family unit are another example of Straight-biased content. Without equal representation for LGBTQIA+ families, it reinforces societal exclusion and can send a clear message of exclusion for some community members, thereby creating a pervasive sense of 'othering'.