(Re)defining heteronormativity

In this article, we examine definitions tied to the term heteronormativity. Taking a random sample of articles from Gender Studies and SociIndex, and a purposive sample of articles from various journals with the highest citation count and relevancy to the field, we analyze how meanings of heteronormativity transformed from the time of its conception until the present. We find that the word has deviated from its original meanings, with subsequently published articles relying on different theoretical frames. We delineate the different uses of heteronormativity into four discrete categories that each follow differing threads of theory, from that of Foucault and Warner/Seidman, Rich, Butler, and Rubin. To encourage clarification in future scholarship, we provide prefixes for each use of heteronormativity, which correspond to each theoretical trend: heterosexist-heteronormativity, gendered-heteronormativity, hegemonic-heteronormativity, and cisnormative-heteronormativity. This new language will allow researchers to continue to expose and unveil heteronormativity and foster clear dialogue on its multidimensional properties.