heteropessimism

English

Etymology

From hetero- +‎ pessimism, coined by sexuality scholar Asa Seresin, see quotations.

Noun

heteropessimism (uncountable)

  1. (neologism) Disillusionment with heterosexuality, typically expressed in an ironic, performative manner and grounded in an essentialist or deterministic view of gender relations.
    Synonym: heterofatalism
    • 2019 October 9, Asa Seresin, “On Heteropessimism”, in The New Inquiry, New York, N.Y.: The New Inquiry, Inc.:
      What I now see is that Nelson’s caveat is typical of heteropessimism, a mode of feeling with a long history, and which is particularly palpable in the present. Heteropessimism consists of performative disaffiliations with heterosexuality, usually expressed in the form of regret, embarrassment, or hopelessness about straight experience. […] “Heterosexuality is a prison!” a chorus declared, vocalizing one of heteropessimism’s central maxims.
    • 2020, Bonni Rambatan, Jacob Johanssen, “Heteropessimism and Digital Anesthesia”, in Event Horizon: Sexuality, Politics, Online Culture, and the Limits of Capitalism‎[1], Alresford, Hampshire: Zero Books, published 2021, →ISBN:
      Furthermore, this often leads to instances where monogamy itself is looked down upon as being too conservative, a sign of pathological jealousy, and so—clear signs that polyamory is often just another manifestation of heteropessimism.
    • 2020, Jane Ward, “Deep Heterosexuality: […]”, in The Tragedy of Heterosexuality, New York, N.Y.: New York University Press, →ISBN, page 162:
      Through a queer lens, heteroresignation or heteropessimism appears to be a rite of passage for straight women.
    • 2023, Gina Rushton, The Parenthood Dilemma: Procreation in the Age of Uncertainty‎[2], page 113:
      I just don't find resigned heteropessimism soothing anymore. Isn't so much of our frustration rooted in the feeling that things don't have to be this way? I don't want to recite the same story about preordained gender relations just so I can be pissed off about them. I want them to change.
    • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:heteropessimism.
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