The first step towards change is to find out where it's needed. This test was designed to give you some things to consider about the ways our everyday, often heterosexist, assumptions impact our behaviors & interactions with others. It's not for research purposes & we will not know the results. It's merely food for your thought...Please be advised that this test is for heterosexuals...& for those who may have internalized homophobic stereotypes...
Check the answers that most resemble yours. The scoring instructions can be found at the bottom of this page. When you have completed the test, total your score, & find out where your attitudes fit on the heterosexism scale. Press the reset button to clear the page!
1. At what age did you realize that you were heterosexual?
a. infancy to age 4
(0)
b. age 5 to age 9
(0)
c. age 10 to age 12
(0)
d. age 13 to age 18
(0)
e. 18 or older
(0)
f. what do you mean? I was always this way!
(0)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(3)
2. How do you think you became heterosexual?
a. genetics
(0)
b. socialization
(0)
c. pressure received from heterosexual parents
(0)
d. a traumatic sexual experience with a member of the same sex.
(0)
e. what do you mean? I was always this way!
(0)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(3)
3. Is it possible that your heterosexuality is just a phase you may grow out of?*
a. This is who I am, it isn't a phase.
(0)
b. Yes, possibly.
(0)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(6)
4. Is it possible that your heterosexuality stems from a neurotic fear of others of the same sex?*
a. Yes, I am a woman & I fear women.
(0)
b. Yes, I am a man & I fear men.
(0)
c. No, I'm heterosexual because of who I love, not who I hate.
(0)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(6)
5. If you have never slept with a person of the same sex, is it possible that all you need is a good Gay lover?*
a. Yes, that's possible.
(0)
b. No, definitely not - I know my sexuality, it's part of who I am.
(0)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(6)
6. Do your parents know that you are straight?*
a. Yes, of course they do - I've already come out to them.
(0)
b. Yes, of course they do - they automatically assumed it.
(3)
c. No, I fear what they may say & do if they know. It's so unacceptable in my family, I fear that I'll be ostracized. (0)
d. This is a stupid question!
(3)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(3)
7. Why do you insist on flaunting your heterosexuality? Can't you just be who you
are & keep it quiet?*
a. I'm not flaunting it. It's just who I am. And sometimes I like to be spontaneous. (0)
b. I try not to be obvious about the love I feel for my partner - but sometimes we do get caught showing affection -- I'm sorry.
(0)
If you thought or made a similar statement about someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(6)
8. Why do heterosexuals place so much emphasis on sex?*
a. We don't really. It just seems that way because of the presence of heterosexual porn on the Internet, in magazines, & in every major city -- as well as the number of bars dedicated to either sex as a theme or getting sex. But it is a very important & meaningful way of expressing intimacy.
(0)
b. Well, sex is pleasurable! It should be emphasized. We shouldn't feel ashamed about enjoying it.
(0)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(6)
9. Why do heterosexuals feel compelled to seduce others into their lifestyle?*
a. It's necessary! We have to ensure the propagation of the species.
(6)
b. It isn't a lifestyle. It's an identity. And you either have it or you don't. Our society, however, does present heterosexuality as the only possible identity - & that discourages many people from recognizing or acknowledging their own identities.
(0)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(6)
10. A disproportionate majority of child molesters are heterosexual. Do you consider it safe to expose children to heterosexual teachers?*
a. This isn't true - the fact is, most homosexuals are child molesters.
(9)
b. Most of the time I feel safe - child molesters make up a small segment of the population & we, as a society, are beginning to take better care of children by putting mechanisms in place for children to recognize inappropriate behavior & to report it.
(0)
c. Most of the time I do feel unsafe, but just about teachers. Historically, our society hasn't had a good track record in terms of recognizing or preventing
child sexual abuse.
(0)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(9)
11. Just what do men & women do in bed together? How can they truly know how to please each other, being so anatomically different?*
a. What we do is private - as in all sexualities! And how we please each other doesn't depend so much on anatomy as it does individual expression.
(0)
b. Men & women fit together like a puzzle - we naturally know how to please each other because we are the ones to reproduce. (9)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(9)
12. With all the societal support marriage receives, the divorce rate is spiraling. Why are there so few stable relationships among heterosexuals?*
a. Wow! This is true - but I can't state one cause - there are multiple
reasons.
(0)
b. Well, the divorce rate may be high but we're more stable than homosexuals!
(9)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(9)
13. Considering the menace of overpopulation, how could the human race survive if everyone were heterosexual?*
a. Good question! It would be quite frightening if everyone on the planet
reproduced.
(0)
b. At least the continuation of the species is guaranteed with
heterosexuality!
(6)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(6)
14. Could you trust a heterosexual therapist to be objective? Don't you feel she/he might be inclined to influence you in the direction of her/his own leanings?*
a. I don't believe that people of any sexuality seek recruits - sexuality isn't a
social club.
(0)
b. Because there's so few of them, only homosexuals seek recruits.
(9)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(9)
15. There seem to be very few happy heterosexuals. Techniques have been developed that might enable you to change if you really want to. Have you considered trying aversion therapy?*
a. Giving me electric shocks after viewing naked pictures of the sex to whom I'm attracted is not going to change me. My sexuality is part of who I am & is not open to change, like all sexualities.
(0)
b. Heterosexuality is natural, homosexuality is not. Heterosexuality cannot be changed by aversion therapy whereas homosexuality can.
(9)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(9)
16. Would you want your child to be heterosexual, knowing the problems that she/he would face?*
a. I would want my child to be happy & would worry about any relationship he/she entered into...I wouldn't want their heart broken.
(0)
b. Rather my child be heterosexual & have problems than be homosexual
& happy.
(9)
If you have asked, or wanted to ask, a similar question to someone who is not heterosexual, check.
(9)
17. Do you think that people of the same sex should have the right to marry?
a. Yes
(0)
b. No
(9)
18. Do you think that people of the same sex could make good parents, whether they have their own children or choose to adopt?
a. Yes
(0)
b. No
(9)
19. Do you feel uncomfortable in the presence of people whom you think (or know) may be gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered?
a. Yes
(9)
b. No
(0)
20. Do you feel that homosexuality is acceptable but only if homosexuals refrain from public displays of affection?
a. Yes, it's ok if they refrain from showing affection in public.
(6)
b. No, it's never ok.
(9)
c. It depends on what kind of affection.
(3)
d. It's acceptable whether or not affection is displayed publicly.
(0)
21. If you answered "a" or "c" in question 20, which activities would you restrict to make homosexuality acceptable? Check all that apply.
a. kiss on the cheek in the driveway, while partners are going their separate
ways.
(9)
b. holding hands walking through a park.
(9)
c. dancing together in any dance bar or at any event where people dance.
(9)
d. holding hands in a romantic restaurant while celebrating an anniversary.
(9)
e. being affectionate while Christmas shopping or at a movie (e.g. light kisses, arms around each other, holding hands, prolonged eye contact).
(9)
f. use of terms of endearment (e.g. honey, sweetheart, etc.)
(9)
g. passionately kissing during a slow dance at any bar downtown.
(9)
22. Have you ever harassed someone that you believed to be gay or lesbian?
a. Yes
(9)
b. No
(0)
23. If yes to question 22, how? Check all that apply.
a. Name calling.
(9)
b. Staring & laughing.
(9)
c. Ostracizing.
(9)
d. Denying someone a membership, job, student placement, or a place
to live.
(9)
e. Physical assault.
(9)
24. Do you tell derogatory jokes about gays, lesbians, bisexuals, or transgendered?
a. Yes.
(9)
b. No.
(0)
25. Do you laugh at such jokes when you hear them?
a. Yes
(9)
b. No
(0)
26. Would you tell racist jokes or laugh at them?
a. Yes
(9)
b. No
(0)
27. Do you assume that all of your co-workers, colleagues, clients, or peers are heterosexual?
a. Yes
(6)
b. No
(0)
28. Do you organize social events in a manner which welcomes people of all sexualities?
a. Yes
(0)
b. No
(3)
c. Never gave it any thought
(3)
29. When having conversations with co-workers, colleagues, clients, or peers, do you make that discussion inclusive of everyone?
a. Yes
(0)
b. No
(3)
c. Never gave it any thought
(3)
30. Do you equally acknowledge the relationships of your co-workers, colleagues, clients, or peers by ensuring, for example, that anniversaries, births, & marriages/union ceremonies, are celebrated in the same way or that all partners are acknowledged?
a. Yes
(0)
b. No
(3)
c. Never gave it any thought
(3)
*Please note that those questions marked with an asterisk are from "The Heterosexual Questionnaire" by M. Rochlin. Source: Micheal S. Kimmel & Micheal A. Messner, Men's Lives. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1998. The multiple choice options & those questions that are not marked by an asterisk were designed by Lori Yetman.
Nonheterosexist (Your score was 0): If you score was zero, your attitudes show no evidence of heterosexism. You must be an individual who thrives on diversity, inclusiveness, & acceptance. You actively go out of your way to ensure that you respect & acknowledge everyone no matter what their sexual identity... and, you may be a social activist.
Somewhat heterosexist(Your score was 10 - 75): You are somewhat heterosexist if you scored within the range of 10 to 75. If the majority of your answers were those scored as "3", then your heterosexism may simply stem from our society's assumption that everyone is straight - & now that you've given it some thought, then you can readily start acknowledging that this is not the case & begin to act accordingly. Some of those answers that scored as "3" could also indicate that you were not exposed to anyone who was outwardly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered and that you are curious. The important thing to remember about some of the questions you may have always wanted to ask is that sexual orientation is just one component of anyone's identity - & it is such a core component, that some of the questions may be impossible to answer. "I am who I am, I don't know why." Other questions that you may have wanted to ask are deeply personal and/or could be potentially hurtful. For example, by asking someone "if their parents know" could trigger an emotional reaction - many LGBT have been ostracized by their families of origin & have formed families of choice. To avoid conversations that are too personal or potentially hurtful, just ask yourself what you would find intrusive or hurtful if the shoe was on the other foot...we are all just human -- & really not that different. Overall, your level of heterosexism is not severe. It is not based on homophobia & can easily change through a conscious effort to acknowledge & learn.
Heterosexist, Homophobic(Your score was 80 - 372): Your attitudes reveal heterosexism & homophobia if you scored between 80 & 372. Generally, those answers that scored as "6" were very heterosexist, while those that scored as "9" were homophobic. The highest possible score is 372...the higher the score, the more heterosexist & homophobic the attitudes. Homophobia, a form of heterosexism, refers to the overt expression of fear, hate, or dislike towards homosexuals. Scoring high in this category doesn't make you a "bad" person - the very fact that you were honest in your answers indicates that you are fine...it's the social values that have been taught to you by many of our major social institutions that are problematic. And they may be problematic but they're not irreversible! Many of our social institutions, including the family, school, church, & state have taught us to heterosexist, & at times, homophobic. We've learned that only heterosexuality is natural & right, that other sexualities are unnatural & wrong. And, many times, our families, our teachers, our spiritual leaders, have looked the other way when, as children, we called someone a "fag" or, as teenagers, bullied someone who was "different". To unlearn heterosexist & homophobic social values is not a difficult process - in fact, you've already begun. Keep learning from this web site. There are tips throughout our pages on how not to be heterosexist. Live them, practice them. Begin by acknowledging the possibility of diversity & acceptance.
Designed by former editor, L. Yetman, August, 2000.