Take a Walk in Our Shoes ¹

The comments below are frequently made about lesbians and gay men. In order to give a better sense of the realities of being a lesbian or gay man the terms ‘lesbians and gay men’ have been replaced with ‘heterosexual’.

• When did you decide to become heterosexual?
• If you’ve never slept with a person of the same sex, how do you know you wouldn’t prefer it?
• So what do straight people do in bed anyhow?
• But you look so normal – you don’t look heterosexual at all!
• Why do straight people have to flaunt who they are and make a spectacle of themselves - like holding hands in public or marching in those straight parades? They don’t have a special parade for us!
• You’re too young to know that you are straight – this is just a phase – you’ll grow out of it
• Why are heterosexuals so promiscuous?
• All you need is a good same-sex lover to change your mind.
• Do straight people hate or distrust people of the same sex? Is that what makes you straight?
• How would you feel if your child turned out to be heterosexual?
• Maybe you should go and see a therapist.
• Most child molesters are heterosexual. Wouldn’t you be worried if your child had a heterosexual teacher/coach?
• I think straight people are totally disgusting.
• Who have you talked to about your heterosexual tendencies and how did they react?
• I have a great minister you could talk to -- he’s helped other straight people become gay
• How can you do this to your family? How will they be able to hold their heads up in public?
• The holy book says that heterosexuality is a sin.
• You have always had a very close relationship with your parent of the opposite sex. Do you think that might have made you heterosexual?
• People like you are just not normal!

¹Taken from: A Positive Space is a Healthy Place. The Public Health Alliance for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-spirit, Intersex, Queer and Questioning Equity. A Workgroup of the Ontario Public Health Association