Thread by @RhizomaticMemer

The material dimension of the gender binary and compulsive heterosexuality is something that is not talked about enough in comparison to its ideological, emotional, cultural and social ones. So let's talk about it (1/9)
#gender #heteronormativity #capitalism

Historically, compulsive heterosexuality and the gender binary have been used by imperialist forces to split up its population into small, manageable units and to ascribe them clear distinct roles to fulfill in order to maximize efficiency, productivity and control (2/9)

Societies with radically different social/cultural formations posed a threat to the very basic structures and principles of western capitalist empires, and as such had to be forcefully made to fit western standards so that they could be integrated into their systems (3/9)

How did that look like in the concrete? Replacing/adapting their spirituality, changing their social structures to fit the western nuclear family, redistributing resources and power, punishing those that don't adjust to the new principles while rewarding those that do etc. (4/9)

The historical link between imperial capitalism and binary gender/compulsive heterosexuality is ingrained into our institutions up to this day. Even today, reproductive cisheterosexual relationships are incentivized and come with various socio-economic and legal advantages (5/9)

#Marriage for example comes with socio-economic and legal benefits. Same-gender marriage is still not legal in many countries. And even in those countries in which it's legal, queer couples are often treated differently and not granted the same economic/legal benefits (6/9)

Reproductivity is also still a significant factor. Birthing and having children also comes with legal privileges and socio-economic benefits that incentivize people to have reproductive heterosexual relationships, rather than queer ones (7/9)

Family building in general is easier with heterosexual relationships. Adoption is possible, but it is a difficult process and there are often additional barriers and difficulties for queer people that cisheterosexual people don't have to face (8/9)

TLDR: Compulsive heterosexuality and the gender binary are not just enforced through ideology or norms, but also materially. They were historically enforced through colonial power, and this history is still ingrained in our institutions and socio-economic conditions today (9/9)