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Discrimination
Despite the considerable legislative and social change seen in recent years, sexual and gender minorities continue to be excluded, denied opportunities, harassed, and assaulted. Not surprisingly, most trans people, lesbians, bisexuals and gay men are not out at Queen's.

Heterosexism is a system of beliefs and practices that devalues and discriminates against those who are not (or are not perceived to be) heterosexual. Heterosexism insists that heterosexuality is the only "normal" sexual orientation; and assumes that everyone is heterosexual, unless there is evidence to the contrary. Some use this term to describe all forms of discrimination against lesbians, gay men and bisexuals; other use it to refer only to systemic discrimination.

Homophobia describes the dislike, fear or hatred of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Some use the term interchangeably with heterosexism.

Transphobia refers to the dislike, fear or hatred of those who do not conform to conventional notions of gender. Trans people, lesbians, gay men and bisexuals are typically the targets of transphobia.

 

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