Final answer:
Homophobia is the term for negative attitudes and discrimination against individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning, while transphobia focuses on negative attitudes toward transgender individuals. Heterosexism is the ideology that upholds heterosexuality as the norm, leading to systemic inequality for non-heterosexual orientations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Homophobia and Heterosexism
A set of negative attitudes and beliefs about individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning is called homophobia. This term encapsulates prejudice and discrimination directed at the LGBTQ+ community, frequently manifesting as the exclusion of these individuals from various social settings, or as overt discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, or healthcare. Transphobia refers specifically to negative attitudes and discrimination towards transgender or gender non-conforming individuals. Another related concept is heterosexism, which is an ideological system that denotes heterosexuality as superior and more valid than other sexual orientations, effectively marginalizing non-heterosexual orientations within societal structures.
Heterosexism, like racism and sexism, confers systematic advantages to heterosexuals and perpetuates disadvantage for others. It is ingrained in societal institutions and continues to foster inequality. Both homophobia and heterosexism are pervasive in society, impacting mental health, employment, and the overall well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals.