Heterosexual Questionnaire
I didn't write this, but it's still very interesting. The credit goes to Marty Rochlin and Betty Berzon (Note: I formerly credited Alan K. Malyon, Ph.D. but was alerted by Terry over at my blog that I was wrong and the credit should go to Marty and Betty).
Many lesbians and gay men - in therapeutic situations as well as in the "outside world" - are put into situations where they have to defend their sexuality. This places a considerable burden on people who are frequently only wanting to deal with a relationship problem, "coming out" on the job or with family and friends, or some sexuality-related situation. To help non-gay people understand how it feels to be put into such a position, Marty Rochin and Betty Berzon devised a questionnaire, parts of which are excerpted here. This questionnaire is based on "heterophobic" premises, rather than homophobic premisees, which exist chronically in our society.
- What do you think caused your heterosexuality?
- When and how did you first decide you were a heterosexual?
- Is it possible your heterosexuality is just a phase you will grow out of?
- Is it possible your heterosexuality stems from a neurotic fear of people of the same sex? Maybe you just need a positive gay experience?
- Heterosexuals have histories of failures in gay relationships. Do you think you may have turned to heterosexuality out of a fear of rejection?
- If you've never slept with a person of the same sex, how do you know you wouldn't prefer that?
- If heterosexuality is normal, why are a disproportionate number of mental patients heterosexual?
- To whom have you disclosed your heterosexual tendencies? How did they react?
- Your heterosexuality doesn't offend me as long as you leave me alone, but why do so many heterosexuals try to seduce others into that orientation?
- If you should choose to nurture children, would you want them to be heterosexual, knowing the problems they would face?
- Most child molesters are heterosexual. Do you consider it safe to expose your children to heterosexuals? Heterosexual teachers, particularly?
- Why must heterosexuals be so blatant, making a public spectacle of your heterosexuality? Can't you just be what you are and keep it quiet?
- Heterosexuals always assign themselves such narrowly restricted, stereotyped sex roles. Why do you cling to such unhealthy role playing?
- How can you have a fully satisfying deeply emotional or sexual experience with an opposite-sex person, when the obvious physical, biological, and temperamental differences are so vast? How can a man possibly understand what pleases a woman sexually - and vice-versa?
- Heterosexual marriage has total societal support, yet the divorce rate continues to spiral. Why are there so few stable heterosexual relationships?
- Since there are so few happy heterosexuals, techniques have been developed to help people change. Have you considered trying aversion therapy?
- Could you trust a heterosexual therapist/counselor not to try to influence you toward his/her own sexual leanings?
- Do heterosexuals hate and/or distrust others of their own sex? Is that what makes them heterosexual?
- A disproportionate number of criminals, welfare recipients, and other irresponsible types are heterosexual. So why would someone hire a heterosexual in a responsible job?
- Why are heterosexuals so promiscuous, always having "affairs", etc.?
Created: 6 Oct 2003 - Modified: 25 May 10. Validate
© 2002-2008
Lisa Seelye.