Constructing the Heterosexual, Homosexual, Bisexual System, by Jonathan Ned Katz

This feature explores the human production of the terms and concepts "heterosexual," "homosexual," and "bisexual," which are presented here as evidence of the construction of a historically specific social order or regime. This is the social-historical institution or system that divides people, identities, desires, acts, relationships, and groups into heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual with profound subjective, objective, psychological, social consequences. The chronology includes scholarly works dating to the 1980s, when historians began to develop what is now called "critical heterosexual history," analysis that interrogates the historically specific discourses and institutions that comprise the hetero, homo, bi system. First published on OutHistory in 2014. Last edit: April 15, 2021.

1994, May 7: Richard Gere/Cindy Crawford Proclaim "Heterosexuality"

Disturbed by continuing rumors that they are headed for divorce, RICHARD GERE and CINDY CRAWFORD took out a full-page advertisement in The Times of London yesterday, costing about $30,000, to proclaim the stability of their marriage. The ad by the model and the movie star, whose relationship has been the subject of speculation in European tabloids and magazines, said: "We got married because we love each other and we decided to make a life together. We are heterosexual and monogamous and take our commitment to each other very seriously." Source: New York Times, May 7, 1994, Section 1, Page 24.