Constructing the Heterosexual, Homosexual, Bisexual System, by Jonathan Ned Katz

This feature explores the human production of the terms and concepts "heterosexual," "homosexual," and "bisexual," which are presented here as evidence of the construction of a historically specific social order or regime. This is the social-historical institution or system that divides people, identities, desires, acts, relationships, and groups into heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual with profound subjective, objective, psychological, social consequences. The chronology includes scholarly works dating to the 1980s, when historians began to develop what is now called "critical heterosexual history," analysis that interrogates the historically specific discourses and institutions that comprise the hetero, homo, bi system. First published on OutHistory in 2014. Last edit: April 15, 2021.

1938, December 22: Knoxville News-Sentinel, p.27

HET Knoxville_News-Sentinel_1938-12-22_27.pdf

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Indoctrination in heterosexuality:
“Homosexuality is all too common nowadays, and it arises partly because in childhood these unfortunate persons haven’t been taught to think in terms of the opposite sex regarding their romantic dreams and source of love.

. . . .

Fondness for the opposite sex is called heterosexual love, and is the sort which should be tactfully encouraged.”