Indeed, some studies suggest that gay teens are three times more likely than their heterosexual peers to attempt suicide. What precisely lies behind this is not yet clear, though a 1999 study of older gay men may prove suggestive. This study concluded that rejection by their family, and other negative social responses to their sexual identity, accounted for the increased tendency on the part of these men to attempt suicide. Let s be clear about the costs of heterosexism for straight people as well. Fear of being misperceived as GLBT inhibits many expressions of intimacy between heterosexual friends of the same sex, especially among men.
Heterosexism reinforces sexist stereotypes and rigid standards of gender conformity.
Perhaps most distressing, because it mistargets our efforts to protect them, heterosexism leaves all our children vulnerable to sexual predators. Precisely how these negative consequences are interpreted varies. Some view them as evidence of the fact that heterosexism breaks down, rather than builds up, community. Much depends upon whether such discrimination is deemed justifiable as a matter of principle or not. So let s turn now to those ethical arguments.