Shaddai Tembo and Laura Henry-Allain MBE return for the final episode of this series of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast, to discuss the importance of recognising the uniqueness and diversity of every family.

Why does heteronormativity matter in the Early Years?

Heteronormativity is premised on a binary understanding of gender and relationships:that the only two genders are ‘men’ and ‘women’, and that relationships should typically be between one person from each of those groups.

It is harmful to LGBTQ+ people as it means that they have to work against an assumed reality, as opposed to more diverse concepts of gender and relationships being accepted as possibilities.

Although heteronormativity grants cisgender heterosexual people a significant level of privilege, it can also cause them harm through the expectation of distinct gender roles both in relationships and in wider society.