Privilege

Although I have many privileges such as being white, American, and  English, one privilege that I would like to discuss is being straight. Until this class I never really understood or even thought about this as a "privilege". I always just considered it to be my preferred sexual orientation. Yes, I knew it was considered to be the "norm" in our society, but who constitutes what is "normal" anyways? 
Being a straight female, I never realized how many things I take for granted. Simple things like being able to be affectionate in public such as holding a guy's hand and going on dates without receiving strange looks or questions is indeed a privilege. Never am I questioned or looked down upon for being affectionate with a guy. Being able to get married in any state I want or being able to get married in a church are also other privileges I receive just from my sexual orientation. Never am I harassed or discriminated against because of my sexual orientation. Never am I denied a job or position because of my sexual orientation. It's crazy to me how all these little things so unnoticed. This goes along with the article we read about how privileged people are taught not to notice these things and ignore them if they'd like. Learning about how many privileges I do have will make me at least stop and think of some of the experiences and hardships underprivileged groups have to deal with.