Heterosexism

From one perspective, this word represents yet another manifestation of systemic and structural privilege and minority oppression. Specifically, some see this term as exposing the advantages and benefits accruing to heterosexual-identifying individuals in a heterosexual-supportive society, alongside the parallel disadvantages and challenges experienced by LGBTQ or same-sex attracted individuals.

From another perspective, this word represents yet another manifestation of the systematic attempt to roll back Judeo-Christian norms, values and culture - specifically, by labeling a core faith conviction as a kind of social pathology. Specifically, the belief that God intended and ordained the familial relationship between men and women as an ideal to aspire toward. Rather than considering this a fundamentally different view of sexuality and identity itself, the word heterosexism labels it as inherently prejudiced and motivated by some kind of malice.  

While the LGBT community casts this aspiration towards heterosexual relationships as an oppressive and unreachable burden to lay on homosexual-identifying individuals, for religious conservatives this is a possibility available to all - a message they share out of conviction that the highest human happiness comes in aligning ourselves with God’s will and ways.