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.

1932, March 2: “Heterosexual” at Vassar

A section of a reported talk presented at Vassar by a “Mrs. Berle” is headed “Sexual Maturity Must Be Reached.” Under that heading we read: “ Psychological sexual maturity is the integration of our attitude towards the opposite sex, and depends on enlightened knowledge and favorable relationships with the other sex; the auto-erotic, homosexual, and heterosexual stages are the normal steps of growth in this respect.”

Notes
“Tests for Modern Lovers Important in Courtship. Mrs. [Beatrice] Berle Emphasizes That Selection of Mate is Not Enough.” Vassar Miscellany News, Volume XVI, Number 28, 2 March 1932, pp. 1 Accessed October 25, 2015 from http://newspaperarchives.vassar.edu/cgi-bin/vassar?a=d&d=miscellany19320302-01.2.11&srpos=1&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-txt-IN-heterosexual------#