Episode 8

The Issue With Compulsory Heterosexuality

In this week’s episode of The Lipsticks Podcast, the girls are weighing in on some serious BIG GAY ISSUES. We talk all about compulsory heterosexuality, why it’s a problem and although it’s getting better, why we still have a way to go.

Compulsory heterosexuality - or comphet for short - is the idea that heterosexuality is considered to be ‘normal’ to the point where in society we are assumed to be straight unless we state otherwise. This also includes an imbalance in the social promotion of heterosexuality vs homosexuality.

We talk about the recent news story that South Oxfordshire council voted for a policy which will see gender-neutral toilets being introduced as part of a motion recognising difficulties faced by trans people!

A new made-up gay word finds it’s way into our Gay Glossary. U-haul love this one...

We also give a big shout out to another podcast which is hosted by two fellow queer women. Her Dark Materials is a spoiler-free podcast which reads through Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials novels. Expect feminist analysis, northern charm and a lot of laughs.

Spoiler alert! This podcast may contact traces of giggling, northern accents, sarcasm and gay references.

Links to resources discussed in the podcast:

BBC News Coverage of Gender Neutral Toilets - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-55418586 

Spotlight: Her Dark Materials Podcast - https://www.hdmpod.co.uk 

Podcast Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68fPuoYOxaPqr71ZLiWrbE?si=PxaBx0yfTHaXOASzLnvB7g 

About the Podcast

Show artwork for The Lipsticks Podcast
The Lipsticks Podcast
Your go to place for the latest gay news

Listen for free

About your hosts

Profile picture for Jess Peace

Jess Peace

Ey up 👋

My name is Jess and I co-host The Lipsticks podcast. Incase you were wondering, I am attracted to men and women. Bi-five, anyone?

I'm a proud Yorkshire lass who loves the countryside and a brew. I'm also fond of books, music, pasta, travelling, whiskey and writing (not necessarily in that order!)

Thanks to my background in Journalism, I'm used to being the one who gets to ask the questions, not answer them! So this should be interesting...
Profile picture for Sarah McDowell

Sarah McDowell

Hello! What do I say about myself? Never know what to write on these things, here goes nothing...

So, my name is Sarah and I am one of the co-hosts of this podcast! I also co host another podcast, called SEO SAS - for anyone who enjoys SEO?

Anyway, I would identify myself as a lesbian and I suppose would say I was late to the 'gay game' - so to speak. I didn't realise I was gay until I was around 23, wasted time at Uni I know!

I enjoy discussing all things LGBTQ+ and just chatting in general to be honest. Apart from that I enjoy all the normal things like coffee, gin, travel, live music, going on walks... sounding like my Tinder profile, so I am gonna stop!