History Main / HetIsEw

Counterintuitively, there may be a homophobic element to this trope in some cases; straight people who subscribe to the notion may feel that their own sexuality is threatened if they find a work that includes a member of their own sex arousing, and this is most common with males who invoke Het Is Ew. This is one of the reasons for the [[GirlOnGirlIsHot prevalence of lesbian porn aimed at straight men]]; male viewers don't need to [[StupidSexyFlanders worry about being turned on by another guy]]. On the flip side, there is also an air of misogyny with people (ironically mostly women this time) who endorse Het Is Ew since not only are female-female pairings ''much'' rarer than male-male ones [[note]](even in franchises with prominent female leads like ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' or Series/OnceUponATime)[[/note]], the women in het ships get the most hate and slash pairings often kill off or demonize the female characters in order to enable ships with men only.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related case arises from one of the {{Double Standard}}s regarding male and female sexuality: since male sexuality is often assumed to be "dirty", [[RomanceAndSexualitySeparation lustful]], and exploitative towards women, men can't truly treat their female counterparts with genuine love, respect, and/or goodwill [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay unless they get rid of their own physical attraction towards women completely]]. (Nevermind that male sexuality and genuinely treating women as equals aren't necessarily [[FalseDichotomy mutually exclusive]]). Therefore, lesbian relationships are therefore more "chaste", "purer", and more "authentic" because AllWomenArePrudes, and even if this isn't the case, female sexuality is often assumed to be [[WomenAreWiser incapable of being as dirty or perverted as men's]]. [[note]]Not to mention lesbian relationships are also viewed as a form of female empowerment, which can sometimes carry the implication that any woman who willingly stays in a heterosexual relationship [[NoTrueScotsman undermines her status as a strong, independent woman no matter what]].[[/note]] This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women can only ever be based on lust; thus, you'll often hear the [[MemeticMutation memetic claim]] that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans, with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related case arises from one of the {{Double Standard}}s regarding male and female sexuality: since male sexuality is often assumed to be "dirty", [[RomanceAndSexualitySeparation lustful]], and exploitative towards women, men can't truly treat their female counterparts with genuine love, respect, and/or goodwill [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay unless they get rid of their own physical attraction towards women completely]]. (Nevermind that male sexuality and respect towards women aren't necessarily [[FalseDichotomy mutually exclusive]]). Therefore, lesbian relationships are therefore more "empowering", "purer", and more "authentic" because AllWomenArePrudes, and even if this isn't the case, female sexuality is often assumed to be [[WomenAreWiser incapable of being as dirty or perverted as men's]]. This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women can only ever be based on lust; thus, you'll often hear the [[MemeticMutation memetic claim]] that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans, with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related case arises from one of the {{Double Standard}}s regarding male and female sexuality: since male sexuality is often assumed to be "dirty", [[RomanceAndSexualitySeparation lustful]], and exploitative towards women, men can't truly treat their female counterparts with genuine love, respect, and/or goodwill [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay unless they get rid of their own physical attraction towards women completely]]. (Nevermind that male sexuality and respect towards women aren't necessarily [[FalseDichotomy mutually exclusive]]). Therefore, lesbian relationships are therefore more "empowering", "purer", and more "authentic" because AllWomenArePrudes, and if this isn't the case, it's because female sexuality is assumed to be incapable of [[WomenAreWiser being as dirty or perverted as men's]]. This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women can only ever be based on lust; thus, you'll often hear the [[MemeticMutation memetic claim]] that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans, with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related assumption arises from one of the {{Double Standard}}s regarding male and female sexuality: since male sexuality is assumed to be "dirty", [[RomanceAndSexualitySeparation lustful]], and exploitative towards women, men can't truly treat their female counterparts with genuine love, respect, and/or goodwill [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay unless they get rid of their own physical attraction towards women completely]]. (Nevermind that male sexuality and respect towards women aren't necessarily [[FalseDichotomy mutually exclusive]]). Lesbian relationships are therefore "deeper", "purer", and more "authentic" than heterosexual relationships because WomenAreWiser, and this sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women can only ever be based on lust. Thus, you'll often hear the [[MemeticMutation memetic claim]] that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans, with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related assumption arises from one of the {{Double Standard}}s regarding male and female sexuality: since male sexuality is assumed to be "dirty", [[RomanceAndSexualitySeparation lustful]], and exploitative towards women, men can't truly treat any woman with genuine love, respect, and/or goodwill [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay as long as they harbor any degree of physical attraction towards them]]. (Nevermind that male sexuality and respect towards women aren't necessarily [[FalseDichotomy mutually exclusive]]). Lesbian relationships are therefore "deeper", "purer", and more "authentic" than heterosexual relationships because WomenAreWiser, and this sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women can only ever be based on lust. Thus, you'll often hear the [[MemeticMutation memetic claim]] that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans, with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related assumption arises from one of the {{Double Standard}}s regarding male and female sexuality: since male sexuality is assumed to be "dirty", [[RomanceAndSexualitySeparation lustful]], and exploitative towards women, men can't truly treat any woman with genuine love, respect, and/or goodwill [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay as long as they harbor any degree of physical attraction towards them]]. (Nevermind that male sexuality and respect towards women aren't necessarily [[FalseDichotomy mutually exclusive]]). This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women can only ever be based on lust, while lesbian relationships are "purer" and more "authentic" because WomenAreWiser. Thus, you'll often hear the [[MemeticMutation memetic claim]] that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans, with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related assumption arises from one of the {{Double Standard}}s regarding male and female sexuality: since male sexuality is assumed to be "dirty", [[RomanceAndSexualitySeparation lustful]], and exploitative towards women, men can't truly treat any woman with genuine love, respect, and/or goodwill [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay as long as they harbor any degree of physical attraction towards them]]. (Nevermind that male sexuality and respect towards women aren't necessarily [[FalseDichotomy mutually exclusive]]). This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women is based on lust while lesbian relationships are "purer" and more "authentic" because WomenAreWiser. Thus, you'll often hear the [[MemeticMutation memetic claim]] that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans, with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related assumption arises from one of the {{Double Standard}}s regarding male and female sexuality: since male sexuality is assumed to be "dirty", [[RomanceAndSexualitySeparation lustful]], and exploitative towards women, men can't truly treat any woman with genuine love, respect, and/or goodwill [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay as long as they harbor any degree of physical attraction towards them]]. (Nevermind that male sexuality and respect towards women aren't necessarily [[FalseDichotomy mutually exlusive]]). This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women is based on lust while lesbian relationships are "purer" and more "authentic" because WomenAreWiser. Thus, you'll often hear the [[MemeticMutation memetic claim]] that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans, with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related assumption is, in a way, a gender-inverted example of the MadonnaWhoreComplex: men cannot be physically attracted to someone of the opposite sex '''[[FalseDichotomy and]]''' treat her with respect like any other human being without reducing her to her appearance, the implication being that any degree of genuine respect or goodwill a man may have towards a woman [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only counts as such if he was never heterosexual in the first place]]. This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women is based on lust while lesbian relationships are "purer" and more "authentic" because WomenAreWiser and AllWomenArePrudes. Thus, you'll often hear the [[MemeticMutation memetic claim]] that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans, with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related assumption is, in a way, a gender-inverted example of the MadonnaWhoreComplex: men cannot be physically attracted to someone of the opposite sex '''[[FalseDichotomy and]]''' treat her with respect like any other human being without reducing her to her appearance, the implication being that any degree of genuine respect or goodwill a man may have towards a woman [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only counts as such if he was never heterosexual in the first place]]. This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women is based on lust while Yuri relationships are "purer" and more "authentic" because WomenAreWiser and AllWomenArePrudes. This lead to the MemeticMutation that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]]. Another related assumption is, in a way, a gender-inverted example of the MadonnaWhoreComplex: men cannot be physically attracted to someone of the opposite sex '''[[FalseDichotomy and]]''' treat her with respect like any other human being without reducing her to her appearance, the implication being that any degree of genuine respect or goodwill a man may have towards a woman [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only counts as genuine if he was never heterosexual in the first place]]. This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women is based on lust while Yuri relationships are "purer" and more "authentic" because WomenAreWiser and AllWomenArePrudes. This lead to the MemeticMutation that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that men are incapable of being sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex '''[[FalseDichotomy and]]''' still treat her with respect like any other human being without reducing her to her appearance (which is, in a way, a gender-inverted example of the MadonnaWhoreComplex). In the latter case, the implication is that if you are male, any degree of respect or goodwill you may have towards a woman [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only counts if you are gay]], since the mere act of finding her attractive must automatically mean that said respect must be false. This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women is based on lust while Yuri relationships are "purer" and more "authentic" because WomenAreWiser and AllWomenArePrudes. This lead to the MemeticMutation that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

The extreme versions are the kind who write hate mail to authors for daring to give their shipped characters an opposite-sex spouse and impose DieForOurShip on any opposite-sex character who so much as has sexual tension with one of "their" characters, often in the most sadistic and humiliating ways. Other times, people proclaiming that [[TitleDrop Het Is Ew]] are just tired of the ubiquity of het romance plots in all variety of fiction and the tropes that go with them, particularly the stereotyping of everyone involved. (Ironically, said heteronormative romance dynamics frequently show up in the slash genre as well, with [[{{Seme}} one character]] still playing a stereotypical male role, while [[{{Uke}} the other]] [[{{Wimpification}} takes]] a stereotypically female one, sometimes up to [[MisterSeahorse getting pregnant]]. The Butch and Femme dynamic is also popular in Yuri ships with the same roles mentioned showing up everywhere.) The sentiment is also somewhat common among jaded and vengeful subsets of queer/trans people, who take to describing straight characters with the same disdain that queer relationships are often treated with. Despite this, the intensity of the extremists has been known to [[WhyFandomCantHaveNiceThings scare artists away or make them outright refuse]] to draw yaoi or yuri (or at least force them to write under a different name).

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that men are incapable of being sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex '''and''' still treat her with respect like any other human being without reducing her to her appearance. In the latter case, the implication is that if you are male, any degree of respect or goodwill you may have towards a woman [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only counts if you are gay]], since the mere act of finding her attractive [[NoTrueScotsman automatically means that said respect must be false]]. This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women is based on lust while Yuri relationships are "purer" and more "authentic" because WomenAreWiser and AllWomenArePrudes. This lead to the MemeticMutation that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that men are incapable of being sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex '''and''' still treat her with respect like any other human being without reducing her to her appearance. In the latter case, the implication is that if you are male, any degree of respect or goodwill you may have towards a woman [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only counts if you are gay]], since the mere act of finding her attractive [[NoTrueScotsman automatically means that said respect must be false]]. This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women is based on lust while Yuri relationships are "purer" because WomenAreWiser and AllWomenArePrudes. This lead to the MemeticMutation that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that men are incapable of being sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex '''and''' still treat her with respect like any other human being without reducing her to her appearance. In the latter case, the implication is that if you are male, any degree of respect or goodwill you may have towards a woman [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only counts if you are gay]], because the mere act of finding her attractive [[NoTrueScotsman inherently invalidates it]]. This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women is based on lust while Yuri relationships are "purer" because WomenAreWiser and AllWomenArePrudes. This lead to the MemeticMutation that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that men are incapable of being sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex '''and''' still treat her with respect like any other human being without reducing her to her appearance. By the latter logic, [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only gay men]] are capable of treating women this way, and the mere act of finding women attractive [[NoTrueScotsman inherently invalidates said respect]]. This sentiment is also why men tend not to show up in Yuri fanfics alongside some benevolent misogyny, as many straight males can internalize the falsehood that their attraction to women is based on lust while Yuri relationships are "purer" because WomenAreWiser and AllWomenArePrudes. This lead to the MemeticMutation that "Yuri is the purest form of love" amongst male anime fans with varying degrees of seriousness from those who espouse it.

This is a subculture-within-a-subculture. This can range from people who merely prefer to pair off every character they like with another of the same sex to the more extreme people who appear to argue that writing slash is a politically liberating act. Queer fans, for example, may have an averse reaction to the heteronormativity of the media and respond by augmenting queer representation in a work. [[note]] The counterargument is that [[SturgeonsLaw most]] slash is about as realistic about same-sex relationships as your average SpaceOpera is about physics. And while it is true that there's a lack of queer representation in mainstream media, it's also true that ''Magazine/{{Playboy}}'' [[IReadItForTheArticles has high-quality articles]] [[/note]] Occasionally it can be an unexpected by-product of backlash against the addition of MarySue {{Original Character}}s, or authors pairing up the male characters who are perceived to be more interesting than the [[SatelliteLoveInterest female]] [[StrangledByTheRedString ones]]. [[note]] Ironically, this means the fanfic writers are even ''worse'' about female character inclusion than the mainstream media producers [[/note]] This led to a widespread perception among FanFic writers that SlashFic with the canonical male characters is automatically of "higher" quality than a male/female pairing, which was [[{{Hypocrite}} assumed to be the (female) author's]] WishFulfillment.

The extreme versions are the kind who write hate mail to authors for daring to give their male shipped characters a wife and impose DieForOurShip on any female character who so much as has sexual tension with one of "their" guys, often in the most sadistic and humiliating ways. Other times, people proclaiming that [[TitleDrop Het Is Ew]] are just tired of the ubiquity of het romance plots in all variety of fiction and the tropes that go with them, particularly the stereotyping of everyone involved. (Ironically, said heteronormative romance dynamics frequently show up in the slash genre as well, with [[{{Seme}} one character]] still playing a stereotypical male role, while [[{{Uke}} the other]] [[{{Wimpification}} takes]] a stereotypically female one, sometimes up to [[MisterSeahorse getting pregnant]].) The sentiment is also somewhat common among jaded and vengeful subsets of queer/trans people, who take to describing straight characters with the same disdain that queer relationships are often treated with. Despite this, the intensity of the extremists has been known to [[WhyFandomCantHaveNiceThings scare artists away or make them outright refuse]] to draw yaoi or yuri (or at least force them to write under a different name).

Counterintuitively, there may be a homophobic element to this trope in some cases; straight people who subscribe to the notion may feel that their own sexuality is threatened if they find a work that includes a member of their own sex arousing, and this is most common with males who invoke this trope. This is one of the reasons for the [[GirlOnGirlIsHot prevalence of lesbian porn aimed at straight men]]; male viewers don't need to [[StupidSexyFlanders worry about being turned on by another guy]]. On the flip side, there is also an air of misogyny with people (ironically mostly women this time) who endorse Het Is Ew since not only are female-female pairings ''much'' rarer than male-male ones [[note]](even in franchises with prominent female leads like ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' or Series/OnceUponATime)[[/note]], the women in het ships get the most hate and slash pairings often kill off or demonize the female characters in order to enable ships with men only.

There's also a case for elements of biphobia, where romantic relationships involving characters of the opposite sex are attacked or invalidated as heteronormative for being [[NoBisexuals mutually exclusive]] with the capacity for same-sex attraction, even when one or more of the characters involved is already canonically bisexual. Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that men are incapable of being sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex '''and''' still treat her with respect like any other human being without reducing her to her appearance. By the latter logic, [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only gay men]] are capable of treating women this way, and the mere act of finding women attractive [[NoTrueScotsman inherently invalidates said respect]].

See also {{Het}}. Not at all related to [[BilingualBonus finding the Dutch ungendered equivalent of "the" ugly]] or [[BilingualBonus disparaging the Russian word for 'No'.]][[note]] [[NightmareFuel/{{Vinesauce}} unmasked]] [[WesternAnimation/FelixTheCat cats]] [[VideoGame/KirbyPlanetRobobot and]] [[NightmareFuel/SiIvaGunner harlequin]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin-type_ichthyosis babies]] notwithstanding.[[/note]] Pre-pubescent boys may feel GirlsHaveCooties, but that usually changes when they're older.

Some people are fans of {{Slash| Fic}} -- the {{Shipping}} of two same-sex characters from a fandom together. Some people take this a little further though; they don't just like Slash but also dislike the idea of Shipping two opposite sex people together, even if those doing the shipping are themselves straight.

Counterintuitively, there may be a homophobic element to this trope in some cases; straight people who subscribe to the notion may feel that their own sexuality is threatened if they find a work that includes a member of their own sex arousing. This is one of the reasons for the [[GirlOnGirlIsHot prevalence of lesbian porn aimed at straight men]]; viewers don't need to [[StupidSexyFlanders worry about being turned on by another guy]]. There is also an air of misogyny with people who endorse Het Is Ew since not only are female-female pairings ''much'' rarer than male-male ones [[note]](even in franchises with prominent female leads like ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' or Series/OnceUponATime)[[/note]], the women in het ships get the most hate and slash pairings often kill off or demonize the female characters in order to enable ships with men only.

It's worth noting that this is a fan-reaction Trope, dealing with the preference of a number of slash and yaoi fans to read about only homosexual relationships. It's not about in-universe anti-heterosexual feelings expressed within a work of fiction.

See also {{Het}}. Not at all related to [[BilingualBonus finding the Dutch ungendered equivalent of "the" ugly]] or [[BilingualBonus disparaging the Russian word for 'No'.]][[note]] [[NightmareFuel/{{Vinesauce}} Unmasked]] [[WesternAnimation/FelixTheCat Cats]] [[Franchise/{{Kirby}} and]] [[NightmareFuel/SiIvaGunner Harlequin]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin-type_ichthyosis Babies]] notwithstanding.[[/note]] Pre-pubescent boys may feel GirlsHaveCooties, but that usually changes when they're older.

There's also a case for elements of biphobia, where romantic relationships involving characters of the opposite sex are attacked or invalidated as heteronormative for being [[NoBisexuals mutually exclusive]] with the capacity for same-sex attraction, even when one or more of the characters involved is already canonically bisexual. Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that men are incapable of being sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex '''and''' still treat her with respect like any other human being without reducing her to her appearance. By the latter logic, [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only gay men]] are capable of treating women this way, and finding women attractive [[NoTrueScotsman automatically invalidates said respect]].

There's also a case for elements of biphobia, where romantic relationships involving characters of the opposite sex are attacked or invalidated as heteronormative for being [[NoBisexuals mutually exclusive]] with the capacity for same-sex attraction, even when one or more of the characters involved is already canonically bisexual. Finally, misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that men are incapable of being sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex and still view and treat her like any other human being ''[[FalseDichotomy without]]'' [[FalseDichotomy reducing her to her appearance]]. Apparently, [[AllTheGoodMenAreGay only gay men can truly respect women]], and having even the slightest amount of attraction towards women [[NoTrueScotsman automatically invalidates said respect]].

* ''WesternAnimation/TrippingTheRift'' centered an episode around a planet that pretty much had this as its [[PlanetofHats Hat]], to the point where heterosexuality, bisexuality, or any of the many other available options out there in the great big universe was punishable by death.

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]

Counterintuitively, there may be a homophobic element to this trope in some cases; straight people who subscribe to the notion may feel that their own sexuality is threatened if they find a work that includes a member of their own sex arousing. This is one of the reasons for the [[GirlOnGirlIsHot prevalence of lesbian porn aimed at straight men]]; viewers don't need to [[StupidSexyFlanders worry about being turned on by another guy]]. There is also an air of misogyny with people who endorse Het Is Ew since not only are female-female pairings ''much'' rarer than male-male ones [[note]](even in franchises with prominent female leads like ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' or Series/OnceUponATime)[[/note]], the women in het ships get the most hate and slash pairings often kill off or demonize the female characters in order to enable ships with men only. There's also a case for elements of biphobia, where romantic relationships involving characters of the opposite sex are attacked or invalidated as heteronormative for being [[NoBisexuals mutually exclusive]] with the capacity for same-sex attraction, even when one or more of the characters involved is already canonically bisexual. Finally misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that he cannot be sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex and still view and treat her like any other human being [[FalseDichotomy without reducing her to her appearance]]; if he's not gay, [[NoTrueScotsman he's not doing the latter right]].

Counterintuitively, there may be a homophobic element to this trope in some cases; straight people who subscribe to the notion may feel that their own sexuality is threatened if they find a work that includes a member of their own sex arousing. This is one of the reasons for the [[GirlOnGirlIsHot prevalence of lesbian porn aimed at straight men]]; viewers don't need to [[StupidSexyFlanders worry about being turned on by another guy]]. There is also an air of misogyny with people who endorse Het Is Ew since not only are female-female pairings ''much'' rarer than male-male ones [[note]](even in franchises with prominent female leads like ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' or Series/OnceUponATime)[[/note]], the women in het ships get the most hate and slash pairings often kill off or demonize the female characters in order to enable ships with men only. There's also a case for elements of biphobia, where romantic relationships involving characters of the opposite sex are attacked or invalidated as heteronormative for being [[NoBisexuals mutually exclusive]] with the capacity for same-sex attraction, even when one or more of the characters involved is already canonically bisexual. Finally misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that he cannot be sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex and still view and treat her like any other human being [[FalseDichotomy without reducing her to her appearance]].

Counterintuitively, there may be a homophobic element to this trope in some cases; straight people who subscribe to the notion may feel that their own sexuality is threatened if they find a work that includes a member of their own sex arousing. This is one of the reasons for the [[GirlOnGirlIsHot prevalence of lesbian porn aimed at straight men]]; viewers don't need to [[StupidSexyFlanders worry about being turned on by another guy]]. There is also an air of misogyny with people who endorse Het Is Ew since not only are female-female pairings ''much'' rarer than male-male ones [[note]](even in franchises with prominent female leads like ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' or Series/OnceUponATime)[[/note]], the women in het ships get the most hate and slash pairings often kill off or demonize the female characters in order to enable ships with men only. There's also a case for elements of biphobia, where romantic relationships involving characters of the opposite sex are attacked or invalidated as heteronormative for being [[NoBisexuals mutually exclusive]] with the capacity for same-sex attraction, even when one or more of the characters involved is already canonically bisexual. Finally misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]], and that he cannot be sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex and still view and treat her like any other human being [[FalseDichonomy without reducing her to her appearance]].

Counterintuitively, there may be a homophobic element to this trope in some cases; straight people who subscribe to the notion may feel that their own sexuality is threatened if they find a work that includes a member of their own sex arousing. This is one of the reasons for the [[GirlOnGirlIsHot prevalence of lesbian porn aimed at straight men]]; viewers don't need to [[StupidSexyFlanders worry about being turned on by another guy]]. There is also an air of misogyny with people who endorse Het Is Ew since not only are female-female pairings ''much'' rarer than male-male ones [[note]](even in franchises with prominent female leads like ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' or Series/OnceUponATime)[[/note]], the women in het ships get the most hate and slash pairings often kill off or demonize the female characters in order to enable ships with men only. There's also a case for elements of biphobia, where romantic relationships involving characters of the opposite sex are attacked or invalidated as heteronormative for being [[NoBisexuals mutually exclusive]] with the capacity for same-sex attraction, even when one or more of the characters involved is already canonically bisexual. Finally misandry is also an arguable factor, as there is the assumption [[AllGaysArePromiscuous that a male]] [[AllMenArePerverts cannot have emotional closeness]] [[ImAManICantHelpIt to anyone]] - ''[[IncestYayShipping even family members]]'' - [[AManIsAlwaysEager without sex being a factor]].

* ''Fanfic/ABriefHistoryOfEquestria'': Sullamander, head of the Pegasi armies, who it is implied had something going on with her S.O. when she was a filly. Twilight Sparkle insists, and repeatedly at that, that this is merely the viewpoint of easily duped scholars who clearly cannot bother doing their research. To clarify, she attempted to pass a ludicrous law that would have severely penalized heterosexual liaisons and the potential offspring. Fortunately, she rescinded it when informed that passing such a law would constitute high treason against the Pegasus Junta, punishable by summary execution. (Only heterosexual intercourse produce offspring, and no offspring would mean no future generations of pegasi, so the law would have resulted in their race going extinct.)

The extreme versions are the kind who write hate mail to authors for daring to give their male shipped characters a wife, and impose DieForOurShip on any female character who so much as has sexual tension with one of "their" guys, often in the most sadistic and humiliating ways. Other times, people proclaiming that [[TitleDrop Het Is Ew]] are just tired of the ubiquity of het romance plots in all variety of fiction and the tropes that go with them, particularly the stereotyping of everyone involved. (Ironically, said heteronormative romance dynamics frequently show up in the slash genre as well, with [[{{Seme}} one character]] still playing a stereotypical male role, while [[{{Uke}} the other]] [[{{Wimpification}} takes]] a stereotypically female one, sometimes up to [[MisterSeahorse getting pregnant]].) The sentiment is also somewhat common among jaded and vengeful subsets of queer/trans people, who take to describing straight characters with the same disdain that queer relationships are often treated with. Despite this, the intensity of the extremists has been known to [[WhyFandomCantHaveNiceThings scare artists away or make them outright refuse]] to draw yaoi or yuri (or at least force them to write under a different name).

* ''Fanfic/ABriefHistoryOfEquestria'': Sullamander, head of the Pegasi armies, who it is implied had something going on with her S.O. when she was a filly. Twilight Sparkle insists, and repeatedly at that, that this is merely the viewpoint of easily duped scholars who clearly cannot bother doing their research. To clarify, she attempted to pass a ludicrous law that would have severely penalized heterosexual liaisons and the potential offspring. Fortunately she rescinded it when informed that passing such a law would constitute high treason against the Pegasus Junta, punishable by summary execution. (Only heterosexual intercourse produce offspring, and no offspring would mean no future generations of pegasi, so the law would have resulted in their race going extinct.)

* The surviving veterans of Joe Haldeman's ''Literature/TheForeverWar'' find themselves in a society where everyone is both gay and [[InTheFutureHumansWillBeOneRace a uniform shade of light brown]]. This began as a government policy of encouraging homosexuality as a method of limiting population growth, and became the standard once humanity began reproducing exclusively via {{Uterine Replicator}}s. One female character at this point even mentions thinking about men's genitals in contact with her makes her mildly disgusted. They offer to switch the main character's orientation through a minor surgery, but he declines, knowing that [[IncompatibleOrientation his orientation is incompatible with everyone]] which forces him to live in abstinence. The soldiers under his command take to nicknaming him "the old queer."

** In one episode Jack has a panic attack when he becomes slightly aroused by a female stripper's lap dance. He learns the stripper is trans and he takes comfort in the {{Unfortunate Implication|s}} that she's not a "real woman".

* ''Series/TheOrville'': In "Deflectors" it's revealed that, keeping with the all-male society Moclans enforce, their culture has no tolerance for opposite-sex attraction. One is revealed to be straight or bisexual (it's unclear if he was ever actually attracted to Bortus, or simply used him as [[TheBeard cover]]), and it causes his apparent murder. In addition, their laws punish acting on or expressing attraction for the opposite sex with life in prison. [[spoiler: The episode ends with Locar facing this punishment.]]

** Summer finds it repulsive that anyone would ever engage in heterosexual sex; however this is mostly because she is a raging misandrist who finds gay male porn almost as disgusting.

** After immigrants from the future take all the town's jobs, the men of South Park decide the best course of action is to have a massive gay orgy, hoping to turn every man in the world gay and thus prevent any future generations from being born. They do this until learning the episode's GreenAesop, and start working to clean up the environment so that the future will be a nicer place to live and people won't want to come back to the present. This actually works, and the future people start fading out of existence, but the townsfolk soon decide that cleaning up the environment is even gayer than the gay orgy, and promptly go back to that.

* Played with in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill''. Luanne and Bill begin working at a trendy new hair salon, but the salon doesn't hire straight men so Bill had to pretend to be CampGay to get a job there. The two of them quickly become the most popular stylists at the salon, and Bill's clients even mention how "unfortunate" it is he's gay and how they'd love to have a boyfriend like him. The minute Bill admits he's not gay, everyone becomes immediately disgusted. To them he was "interesting and unique" when he was gay, but now that he's straight he's just a "sleazy barber".