English

Noun

1. A heterosexual person.

Synonyms

• straight

Antonyms

• gay

Translations

• Finnish: hetero
• French: hétéro

Finnish

Noun

1. A heterosexual or hetero (person).

Adjective

1. heterosexual; used mainly as modifier in compound terms.

   heteromies = a heterosexual man

   heterosuhde = a heterosexual relationship

History and demographics

The prevalence of exclusive heterosexuality has varied over the centuries and also from culture to culture. See Demographics of sexual orientation

The history of heterosexuality is part of the history of sexuality. That history and science derivative of it is far from complete. Owing to complications of human politics and prejudice, coupled with the malleable nature of human behaviour, it will be some time before the history and nature of all forms of human sexual behaviour are truly known.

Slang

The term "straight" originated as a mid-20th century gay slang term for heterosexuals, ultimately coming from the phrase "to go straight" (as in "straight and narrow"), or stop engaging in homosexual sex.[3] One of the first uses of the word in this way was in 1941 by author G. W. Henry. Henry's book concerned conversations with homosexual males and used this term in connection with the reference to ex-gays. It currently simply is a colloquial term for "heterosexual" having, like many words, changed in primary meaning over time.

The term breeder, a word which is normally applied to animals, is sometimes used to describe heterosexuals in a negative way. Another slang term referring to male heterosexuals is "egg packer", which mocks the connotation of the slang term for male homosexuals, "fudge packer."

See also

• Heteronormativity
• Sexual orientation
  • Asexuality
  • Bisexuality
  • Demographics of sexual orientation
  • Environment, choice, and sexual orientation
  • Genetics and sexual orientation
  • Homosexuality
  • :Category:Sexual orientation and society
  • :Category:Ex-gay movement
  • :Category:LGBT

• Human sexuality
  • :Category:Sexuality
  • :Category:Sexology
  • :Category:Marriage
  • :Category:Sexual fidelity
  • :Category:Group sex
  • :Category:Intimate relationships (dating, courtship, etc.)

References

1. Wikholm, Andrew, "Words: Heterosexual". Gay History.com. (Cited February 14, 2004)
2. "Straight, Ex-gay". Descriptors for Sexual Minorities. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, H2G2. BBC. (Cited February 14, 2004)
3. "Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality" American Psychiatric Association. (Cited February 9, 2004)
4. "Heterosexual Sex". World Sex Explorer. (Cited February 14, 2004)
5. Katz, Jonathan Ned (1995) The Invention of Heterosexuality. NY, NY: Dutton (Penguin Books). ISBN 0-525-93845-1.
6. Johnson, P (2005) Love, Heterosexuality and Society. Routledge: London.

Books

• Kinsey, Alfred C., et al., "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male". Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-33412-8
• Kinsey, Alfred C., et al., "Sexual Behavior in the Human Female". Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-33411-X

External links

• Keel, Robert O., "Heterosexual Deviance". (Goode, 1994, chapter 8, and Chapter 9, 6th edition, 2001.) Sociology of Deviant Behavior: FS 2003, University of Missouri - St. Louis.
• "Heterosexual partner rights raise questions". The News' View, Yale Daily News Publishing Company. January 27, 2004.
• Coleman, Thomas F., "What's Wrong with Excluding Heterosexual Couples from Domestic Partner Benefits Programs?". Unmarried America, American Association for Single People.
• "Confidential Heterosexuality". Heterosexual Experience Stories. Raw Psychology Productions.