Poll: Is it wrong to automatically assume some is heterosexual?

[ContinuumDude]

As a biological point of view it is not wrong to assume one to be heterosexual since nature depends on mammals to be heterosexual for reproduction (ok I know that women can reproduce without male and male homosexuals can use surrogate mothers to have offspring, but it needs science to overcome nature). Point being that evolution has fixed heterosexuality in our genes quite firmly.

 

[DanielBrown]

Well, like pretty much everone else has said; heterosexuality is the norm, so there's nothing wrong with asuming someone is straight.

 

[Daveman]

I assume hetero for the same reason I assume they like chocolate... because that's more common.

 

[darkman80723]

No, not really. Even as a gay guy I say that since it is the "norm"

 

[Daniel Laeben-Rosen]

It's not wrong. No.
And it's not wrong because: we all make assumptions about people from ourselves. If you're straight, one of your first assumptions about strangers is going to be that they are too. It's the same way that if you're religious(of any kind) you're going to assume a stranger is as well, it's just human nature.
We project ourselves onto people we don't know, or in some cases we project our fears or own insecurities onto people we just don't know.
It's both good and bad, it's how we find friends and it's how prejudice comes to be(one way).

 

[SkyeNeko]

It's like assuming a person you see on here is a male. Chances are, you're right. If you're not, you will be politely told that the subject has a uterus.

 

[vxicepickxv]

Why does it really matter? People don't find me attractive.

Depending on where I was would set my assumptions. I'm going to assume you're a homosexual at the gay bar.

 

[BeanDelphiki]

Yes, it's wrong. Freaking obvious, wow to the poll results. You shouldn't presume you know anything about someone's sexuality. Fail.

That said, it doesn't bother me. What DOES bother me is the assumption of monosexuality, which is much harder to correct.

 

[spinFX]

As much as people like to pretend profiling is a terrible thing, it is more accurate and useful than assuming the best/most desirable etc. I pick a random guy out of a crowd, chances are he is straight.

It's just math and anyone who takes it personally is well... a huge pussy. Go ahead and assume I like computers because I am overweight and have glasses. See if I care. You'd be right, I do have glasses and like computers. Hell assume I like football because I am an Australian male. See if I care. PS: you'd be wrong on that one.

 

[funguy2121]

Is it wrong to automatically assume someone is heterosexual?

Generally where I'm from, it is normal to assume someone is hetro until proven otherwise. Is it that everywhere? Are these stigmas of "Everyone is hetro until proven otherwise" ignorant? I don't really feel ignorant, that's just sorta the way it is here. (1)Additionally the homosexuals and other persuasions out there don't take offense to automatically believe someone is hetro until they tell you. I just want to see how it is in places outside of where I live.

So escapists, comments, thoughts? I would really like to know.

(1) is a false assumption. How do you know that LGBTs don't care if you assume either way?

How about not assuming at all? It's pretty easy to find out, usually. Make a comment about a woman. If you hear the term "partner" subbed for "girlfriend/boyfriend" more than once it's a good bet you're talking to a homosexual.

Really, would you walk up to John Waters or Ru Paul or Freddy Mercury and assume you were talking to a straight person? How about Eddie Izzard?

Also, what's with the "other" option on the pole? It's a binary yes/no question. What can 'other' possibly mean? I only ask because it's confusing and 31 people said 'other.'

 

[moretimethansense]

No, but in that same way you shouldnt assume someone is flamboyantly gay if they make it seem that way. Or even really draw attention to it. you also shouldnt try to "make" someone hetero.

Contrary to what most people think, gay people do not just jump on somoene they find hot and start going at it with a rainbow shooting out of thier ass as they do.

More's the pity

Joking aside why would it be wrong?
Most folk are straight, just like most people have hair, would it be offensive to assume that the poster I quoted has hair?
Even if they don't how am I to know unless they tell me?
And for that matter, why does somebodys sexuality matter unless you are trying to pick them up?

 

[Buizel91]

No, it's the social norm so why wouldn't someone assume that?

As a bisexual male....I kinda got to agree with this. Strait is the majority.

Makes deciding who to flirt with a pain in the ass.

I thought now a days, Bisexual is the norm?

Still it's nor wrong to assume.

 

[Sneeze]

Nah, it's the norm so it's only fair to assume that. Unless the guy it's glaringly obvious and the gay is wearing a rainbow wristband and doing a rendition of "I am what I am" acapella then maybe you shoudl re-think your position but nah, it's not wrong to assume someone is in the VAST majority (what is it, 90-95% of people are straight or something?).

Why does it really matter? People don't find me attractive.

Depending on where I was would set my assumptions. I'm going to assume you're a homosexual at the gay bar.

This is also a good point though, environment is also a factor.

 

[garjian]

i agree that being straight is the norm, but i dont think anyone should assume anything without some proof.

 

[chinangel]

yeah, because just because you assume that it's true,doesn't necessarily make it so. You probably shouldn't assume anything about someone's sexuality until given sufficient enough evidence.

 

[Vidiot]

Yes, simply because you are making an assumption, correct or not.

Could not have said it better myself. /Thread

 

[Lieju]

I'm gay, and I'm not offended if people assume I'm straight. I usually don't really care or think about people's sexual orientation, unless I'm attracted to them, in which case I'd like to know if I have a chance. So I don't really assume one way or another when it comes to most people.

Like several people have said, it's only offending if you're basing it to stereotypes, and think someone who looks normal can't possibly be gay.

But you're assuming things about people in any case, it's good to realise that your assumptions may very well be wrong.

 

[GeorgW]

No, it's a large majority. I try not to assume, but it's unavoidable to do it subconsiously.