Heterosexism divisive, doesn’t allow for societal unity

A prejudice that has very recently moved towards the category of taboo is that against homosexuality. Heterosexism is yet another term that has had a more frequent use since the start of the twenty-first century and is synonymous with the term homophobia.
This “ism” is the discrimination against homosexuals or the belief that a “normal” sexual attraction can only be found between a man and a woman. Through the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015, homosexuality has become increasingly less taboo.
Although there is a decreasing prejudice, there are still an abundant amount of closed-minded and ignorant people who refute the idea of equality for people of the LGBTQ+ community. It has always been healthy and natural to have a same-sex attraction.
The ignorance of these heterosexists has translated to hate crimes since the beginning of known homosexual existence. Although it is no longer punishable by death to identify as homosexual in many parts of the world, there is still a prevalent bias towards gay people almost everywhere.
Due to the conformity of heterosexuals to the rest of society, there is a prominent amount of privilege granted to those attracted to the opposite sex. Acceptance of opposite sex relationships and sexuality is considered normal to American society, allowing straight people to blend in.
This privilege provides advantages to heterosexual people on an everyday basis. Once a homosexual person “comes out” they stand out to society and are tagged as unnatural to heterosexists who refuse to accept the normality of anyone’s sexual attraction.
Therefore, in heterosexual people’s lives, they are allowed the natural privilege of acceptance and the understanding of society. The inherent disapproval based on religious or personal views is morally incorrect.
There are many interpretations of religious materials such as the Bible’s views on homosexuality, but ultimately there should be an overall understanding of people within any affiliation. Understanding is the root to acceptance, but even if a group does not understand a person’s way of life, something as simple as sexual orientation should not be discriminated against.
This is not to say that there are no problems with the idea of sexual orientation as a whole. For example, pedophilia is an unjustified concept that should almost always be considered criminal. This idea is completely unlike homosexuality because being attracted to the same sex is purely an orientation rather than a mental disorder.
All in all, gays should be appreciated and completely accepted into society. There is nothing wrong with people who are sexually attracted to those of their same sex. Homosexuality is a vital aspect of diversity around the world as it is already too divided in its belief systems.