Rich (1980), "Compulsory Heterosexuality and the Lesbian Existence"

1. Lesbian existence refers to the presence of lesbians throughout history and contemporary society.

2. The lesbian continuum refers to the way that women experience other women throughout our lives. It is not necessarily a reference to genital sexual experiences.

Rich (1980) argues that heterosexuality is a violent political institution that secures women's subordination to men. Women should turn to other women in order to develop coalitions outside of the patriarchal structure of heterosexuality. This includes reshaping ideas of economics, family structure, and sexual and psychological fulfillment.

3. Men control and suppress women by denying us our sexuality.

Rich (1980) notes that men have used power to suppress women's sexuality throughout history, and she lists a number of ways this occurs.  Men deny women sexuality and force their sexuality on women. Men exploit women's production labor by taking control over reproductive rights. Men deny lesbians access to their children. Men keep economic control over women.