The Heterosexual Invisible Knapsack by Elizabeth Hansen Based upon the writing of Peggy McIntosh: "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" The concept behind the Invisible Knapsack was introduced to me in an article about the privileges that many White individuals enjoy written by Peggy McIntosh. I was struck by the idea that some members of society carry with them a "knapsack" of rights and privileges that they benefit from without even realizing that they have this position of power. I translated this idea to outline a heterosexual invisible knapsack of rights and privileges that may not be readily apparent. 1. I can walk down the street holding hands with my boy/girlfriend or spouse with a reasonable absence of fear of retaliation. 2. I can introduce my boy/girlfriend or spouse to parents and friends without fearing that they will object to or be disgusted by his/her gender. 3. I can look forward to finding a person with whom I share a life long love and have the option of having that bond legally recognized in marriage. 4. I can benefit from hundreds of legal and financial benefits that are offered only to a married couple. 5. I do not fear losing a job, a child, a friend, a family member, or my life due to my sexual orientation. 6. I do not expect to hear my sexual orientation used as an insult. 7. I do not expect to see my sexual orientation ridiculed on TV or in the movies. 8. I do not live in fear of someone finding out who or what gender I desire. 9. People do not fear being called or being accused of having my sexual orientation. 10. I do not speak for all those of my sexual orientation. 11. I do not expect to have my actions, beliefs, mistakes, etc. attributed to my sexual orientation. 12. My sexual orientation is not a subject of gossip. 13. I do not feel obligated to tell others of my sexual orientation. 14. I do not fear or am not discouraged from telling others my sexual orientation. 15. I am never told that I am loved, accepted, or tolerated "in spite of" my sexual orientation. 16. I can go to a school dance or function with my boy/girlfriend or spouse without special permission or fear of rejection due to his/her gender identity. 17. I can expect to see cards and gifts for couples that cater to my sexual orientation. 18. I do not expect my sexual orientation to be of any special significance. 19. People do not assume that I am trying to "convert" them to my sexuality. 20. People do not question my parenting ability due to my sexual orientation. 21. People do not assume that I am more likely to commit child abuse because of my sexual orientation. 22. People do not consider my sexual orientation to be "contagious." 23. I am statistically less likely to commit, attempt, or consider suicide and less likely to experience depression in my lifetime. 24. I can open a magazine and take a relationship quiz and expect to see the gender of myself and my boy/girlfriend or spouse. 25. I can watch a television show, watch a movie, or read a mainstream novel and see a relationship like mine.
That's so true. I'm always telling straight people about all of that, and a lot of them don't even really think about it until I mention it.
Holy *&%^ I'm printing that out and putting it somewhere where I'll always see it. HUNDREDS of financial and legal benefits?! &^%$!!!! I'll also look up the "white Knapsack" one.
Good ideas tend to happen more than once, this list is a bit longer, but there are still some things missing from it: http://www.cs.earlham.edu/~hyrax/personal/files/student_res/straightprivilege.htm
:tantrum: I was going to post this one!!! >:| It's along the same lines, and they're both very good. This one give me a chuckle though because one of the listed things is "I've never had my sexual orientation associated with a closet"
