Straight

Straight is a slang term for heterosexual, a term with two common definitions.

The first definition of Straight is as an umbrella term for MLW (Man Loving Woman, or "straight men") and WLM (Woman Loving Man, or "straight women") individuals who are monosexual and aptobinary. This is often shortened to "men and women attracted to the opposite sex."^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]

This limited definition is often considered to be the opposite of Gay (especially when used as a limited umbrella term for Lesbians and Gay Men.) and Queer (when defined as "not-heterosexual" or "not straight".)^[6]^[7]^[8]

The second definition is sexual attraction to individuals with gender(s) unlike or different from one's own.^[9]^[10]^[11]

This definition is often preferred by those who dislike the exorsexist, sexist, and intersexist idea of "opposite sex" as it is commonly defined, which relies on the outdated understanding of only two sexes and/or genders existing and oppositional sexist beliefs of "female and male [as] rigid, mutually exclusive categories."^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]

It's romantic counterpart is Heteroromantic. Heterosexual is often considered the opposite of homosexual.

Etymology

The prefix hetero- comes from the Greek word heteros (ἕτερος), meaning "different" or "another".^[16]

"Heterosexual" was coined alongside "Homosexual" in 1869 by Karl Maria Kertbeny to describe an "unfettered capacity for degeneracy" in Male-Female sexual relations, or "erotic acts". It was coined in contrast to "Normalsexualitat" (normal sexuality) which referred to Male-Female sexual relations which were "natural" (non-erotic and for the purpose of procreation.) Additionally his original definition of Heterosexuality was not exclusive, as he described Heterosexuals as "capable of giving themselves over to same-sex excesses" ^[17]^[18]^[19]

Specific Terms

There are many alternative terms for Straight individuals who wish to specify their identity. Some of these terms are:

Bennetian: One who experiences Hetero- attraction to men. While it is often used as an alternative term for "straight woman", bennetians are not always binary women or cishet (but they may feel like their attraction is WLM aligned.)

Julietian: A duaric orientation for anyone who is WLM (ex. bisexual, pluralian, or bennetian women among others.) Julietians may or may not be exclusively attracted to men. The term can be used to emphasize one's WLM attraction or by individuals who know they are WLM but are otherwise questioning.

Darcian: One who experiences Hetero- attraction to women. While it is often used as an alternative term for "straight man", darcians are not always binary men or cishet (but they may feel like their attraction is MLW aligned.)

Romeric: A duaric orientation for anyone who is MLW (ex. bisexual, pluralian, or darcian men among others.) Romerics may or may not be exclusively attracted to women. The term can be used to emphasize one's MLW attraction or by individuals who know they are MLW but are otherwise questioning.

Strayt: A Nonbinary individual who is straight in a uniquely Non-binary way.

Transhet: A Trans individual who is straight.

Misuse and Misconceptions

"Straight" is often used in incorrect or exclusionary ways due to misconceptions about identity, sex, and gender. One common misuse of the term is as a synonym for Cishet, which is exclusionary towards Transhet and Cisqueer individuals by implying that one must also be Cis if they are Heterosexual, and vise versa. In reality, one's sexual orientation and one's gender modality are separate.^[20]^[21]

A major misconception is that Straight individuals cannot be Queer or identify with the term queer in any way. This erases the various experiences of those under the Straight Queer (or Queerhet) umbrella, including but not limited to Varioriented individuals, Multigender Straights, Abrosexuals or otherwise Fluid persons, and M-spec Straights.^[21]^[22]^[23]

The exclusionary definition of Straight as being "men and women attracted to the opposite sex" (with "opposite sex" being defined as "dyadic male or female") has lead some to define attraction to "opposite" or "differing" genders as being inherently exclusive and bigoted. This misconception harms those who are Enanteic, Contraic, Penultisexual, and Differosexual. It may also harm Antigender and Nongender individuals who use similar language in a non-bigoted way to describe their gender(s).

Some relationships which involve men and women (or those perceived as such, regardless of actual identification) have been classified as straight or heterosexual. This often leads to the erasure of M-spec and Transgender individuals.^[24]^[25]

An alternative term, Duaric, was coined to provide a simple term to describe M/F relationships without the connotation that all parties involved are heterosexual. Non-straight Duarics may choose to use Ultramoric (or Ultric) instead. Similarly, Diamoric can be used to describe a relationship with differing genders when one or multiple individuals are non-binary while avoiding the assumption of heterosexuality.

Flags

The most commonly used Straight flag with alternating black and white stripes was made by an unknown user on or before February 5th, 2001. While the symbolism is unknown, some have suggested that it was made to parallel the Rainbow flag made by Gilbert Baker or to represent Straight Men and Straight Women through the use of two separate colors.

While some have suggested that this flag may have been anti-gay or politically Conservative in origin, the use of it's design within the Straight Ally flag and the existence of more blatant homophobic Straight pride symbols has lead to it being seen in a more neutral light compared to other designs.^[26]^[27]^[28]^[29]

A three striped blue, white, and pink Heterosexual flag was proposed by Wikimedia user Fobos92 on January 24th, 2012. There are no known color meanings.^[30]

Another commonly used Straight flag with a gradient design of black, white, and grey stripes was proposed at some point during or before 2014 by an unknown person or group. This design is confirmed to mimic the Rainbow flag, but beyond that it's symbolism is unknown. There are claims that it was proposed by either a Gay individual or a Gay group/organization but this is currently unconfirmed.^[26]^[29]^[31]

A three striped grey straight flag was made by an unknown user on or before January 27, 2014. The color meanings are currently unknown.^[32]

An alternative blue, white, and pink Heterosexual flag was made by Wikimedia user Wolfdog406 on May 4th 2016. There are no known color meanings, but the colors are noticeably more saturated than Fobos92's original design.^[33]

Heterosexual flag proposal by Fobos92
A common alternate straight flag with a black, grey, and white gradient-style design.
3 stripe Straight flag by unknown
Heterosexual flag proposal by Wolfdog406
An alternate straight flag by FlagsforCisHets.
An alternate straight flag by FlagsforCisHets.
An alternate straight flag by FlagsforCisHets.
An alternate heterosexual flag.
An alternate heterosexual flag.
An alternate straight flag.
An alternate straight flag.

Controversial Flags and Terms

While many Heterosexual pride flags exist to simply convey one's orientation, some were created to convey bigotry towards certain queer individuals. Common reasons for these flags are protests against gay marriage, "straight pride" as a counter-protest to pride parades, or to show that a Straight individual is exclusionary or opposed to Trans and Nonbinary individuals (ex. Super Straight).

A reactionary "straight pride" parade was held in Boston, Massachusetts by the right-wing organization Super Happy Fun America (SHFA) on August 31, 2019. As part of the parade, the "blue and pink" straight pride flag was released. It has no known meanings.^[26]^[34]^[35]

Due to the parade being self-described as "a response to the 'identity politics' of the left", SHFA statements such as "Straight people are an oppressed majority", and the leaders of the organization having confirmed ties to organized white nationalism and the reactionary far-right movement, this flag is not widely used or recognized as a legitimate Straight or Heterosexual symbol.^[36]^[37]

The "Pink and Blue" SHFA Straight Pride flag

[1] "The Tragedy of Heterosexuality" by Jane Ward. (Defines "Straight" and "Heterosexual" as exclusive MLW and WLM attraction throughout, places "Straight" in opposition to "Queer".)

[2] ttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterosexual

[3] ttps://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/heterosexual

[4] ttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/hetero

[5] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosexuality

[6] ttps://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/straight

[7] ttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gay#h1

[8] ttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/queer#h2

[9] ttps://www.healthline.com/health/different-types-of-sexuality#d-l

[10] ttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-sexuality#types

[11] ttps://www.diverseandresilient.org/resources/youth-resource-list/understanding-sexual-orientation/

[12] ttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opposite%20sex

[13] ttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sex-redefined-the-idea-of-2-sexes-is-overly-simplistic1/

[14] ttps://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/oppositional-sexism

[15] ttps://www.juliaserano.com/terminology.html

[16] ttps://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E1%BC%95%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%82#Ancient_Greek

[17] ttps://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/heterohomobi/karlmaria

[18] ttps://web.archive.org/web/20170912220358/http://www.policy.hu/takacs/pdf-lib/TheDoubleLifeOfKertbeny.pdf

[19] ttps://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Invention_of_Heterosexuality/AtwaAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0&bsq=isbn%3A0525938451

[20] ttps://www.health.com/mind-body/lgbtq-health/what-is-cisgender

[:0-21] 21.0 ^21.1 https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sexopedia/a37711267/cishet/

[22] ttps://thequeerness.com/2016/09/18/can-straight-people-be-queer/

[23] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer

[24] ttps://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/people-erase-my-existence

[25] ttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/straight-passing

[:1-26] 26.0 ^26.1 ^26.2 https://www.crwflags.com/fotw//FLAGS/qq-het.html

[27] ttps://web.archive.org/web/20200204150334/gaystarnews.com/article/pride-flags-the-biggest-guide-to-lgbt-rainbow-flags-and-what-they-all-mean/

[28] ttps://rosaletzebuerg.lu/pride-month-straight-flag/?lang=en

[:2-29] 29.0 ^29.1 https://www.loeser.us/flags/protest3.html

[30] ttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bandera_heterosexual.PNG

[31] ttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heterosexual_flag_(black-grey-white).svg

[32] ttps://web.archive.org/web/20240914092749/https://www.tumblr.com/kyriarchy/74777856380/cosmogyralbell-griezzellgreedigut-im

[33] ttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heterosexual_Flag_(proposed).png

[34] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_pride#Boston,_Massachusetts,_United_States_(2019)

[35] ttps://www.thepinknews.com/2019/06/27/straight-pride-parade-application-approved-in-boston/

[36] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Happy_Fun_America

[37] ttps://superhappyfunamerica.org/straight-pride/

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