It’s a Threat to Their World: Compulsory Heterosexuality and Intersections of Lesbianism and Gender w/ Zoe

It’s the lesbian episode! Zoe joins Kenna and Brianna on the podcast to share insight into the nuances of the lesbian experience, and how it is different from that of other queer people. The pressures to perform for men even as a lesbian, the exclusion of lesbians in queer and feminist spaces, and the interesting history of gender in the community are all discussed on the final episode of this season of All Inclusive.  

 
Below you can find a glossary of jargon-y terms we might’ve said on the show. 

• Asexual: Describes a person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others. Asexuality is not the same as celibacy and exists on a spectrum with varying relationships and feelings towards sex.  
• Bisexual: A sexual orientation that describes a person who is emotionally and sexually attracted to people of their own gender and people of other genders. 
• Butch: A specific identity to describe masculine gender expression and is almost exclusively used by lesbians.  
• Compulsory heterosexuality/Comphet: The idea that heterosexuality is forced upon specifically lesbians by a culture that expects women and feminine people to please and center men in their life. It highlights an intersection between patriarchy and heteronormativity that often impacts lesbians in the discovery and acceptance of their identity. Other queer people may experience similar feelings, which is usually describes as heteronormativity, however that heteronormativity mixed with patriarchy is what makes it specific to lesbians. 
• Femme: A specific identity that highlights the intersection between femininity and queerness. It holds a specific historical significance for the lesbian community where it originated from and works to capture the lesbian relationship to gender and femininity. 
• Heteronormativity: Relating to a world-view that promotes heterosexuality as the assumed, normal or the preferred sexual orientation. 
• Lesbian: A sexual orientation that encompasses women and nonbinary people who are exclusively attracted to other women and nonbinary people. Sometimes shortened to non-men attracted to non-men, though there has been significant discourse as to how to make an inclusive and all encompassing definition for an identity that exists at a very complex spot culturally. 
• Masc/Fem: Abbreviation of the adjectives masculine and feminine; often describe gender expression for people of all identities.  
• Patriarchy: A societal structure in which men hold power over women and other genders. It also works to describe structures within societies that work to oppress and exploit non-men. 

Special thanks to:  

• Planned Parenthood Staff: Paola Ferst, Kelsey Hunt-Dolan, and Nan Morgan 
• Audio Editor: Martin Pelaez 
• Music: Rascal Miles with the song “Imagination.” Also check out t

Disclaimer:
The experiences and opinions expressed in this podcast reflect the views of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida does not guarantee the completeness, nor the accuracy of the content of this podcast and accepts no liability for any direct or indirect damage of any kind arising from, or in any way related to, the podcast’s content. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute medical, mental health, legal, or other professional advice or services.

Thank you’s and credits to the following amazing people:

• Hosts: Brianna Nelson and Kenna Bartlett
• Planned Parenthood Staff: Kathy Dobson, Kelsey Hunt-Dolan, and Nan Morgan
• Audio Editor: Brianna Nelson
• Intro and Outro Music: “Mellow” by Ethan Korvne (Check out his LP “Something Else to Do” on Spotify and Apple Music!)
• Cover Art: Brianna Nelson