Someone calls themselves “straight” and you don’t know what they mean by that? Don’t worry, we’ll explain the meaning and use of the term to you.
What does straight mean? (Source: alonesdj / depositphotos.com)
That means “straight”: heterosexual
The English term “straight” actually means “straight” in direct translation. In the context of sexuality, however, “straight” stands for “heterosexual” and is therefore the opposite of “gay” or “queer”. Heterosexual people are attracted to the opposite sex.
The term “straight” is often used by cis-gender people, i.e. by people who identify with the classic gender classification and therefore do not belong to the “LGBTQ” community. Actually, however, “straight” only refers to sexual orientation and not to gender.
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How to use “straight”
If you’re a man who likes women or if you’re a woman and want a bf, you can describe yourself as “straight” and include this orientation in your dating profile, for example. For example, emphasizing heterosexuality can let queer people know that you’re not interested in them. Sometimes including the label “straight” on their social media profile has another reason:
The fact that people specifically label themselves as straight shows that they are opposed to accepting straightness as the norm. This can pave the way for the recognition of other sexualities. This tactic, which is more commonly used with pronouns (she/her, he/his, or they/them), allows one to reveal oneself as an ally to queer people, who may then publicly disclose their sexual orientation.
Here are examples of using “straight”:
- “I’m not at all sure if Florian is really straight. I would have to ask him.”
- “FYI, I’m straight, so unfortunately I’m not interested in you.”
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