As a woman of color born in West Africa where culture and tradition play an important role in the life of the individual, heterosexuality is the singular model of sexuality accepted within the population. As a result, growing up, it was not difficult for me to discern and recognize my sexual identity as heterosexual. I observed heterosexuality in everyday life and it was the normal, natural identity that for me did not need to be questioned. Social practices like paying a dowry or traditional marriage, virginity, marriage are obligatory rituals associated with my gender. Not only are these identities recommended and conditioned by every woman in the culture, but they are also considered prestigious things that elevate the status of the family. As a woman, I was aware of all these social practices that must be carried out in my life. If I do not meet them, my gender will not be respected and valued by the rest of the feminine society in my culture. In this article, heterosexuality will encompass various meanings. I will view sexual attraction, cultural norms, religion, value system, and institution as the core practices that shape my identity. The community environment shaped my sexual identity. In my community, heterosexuality is considered power. I was raised in a royal family where my grandfather, a king, had nine wives, thirty-five children and over a hundred grandchildren. According to royal beliefs; Having multiple wives and children is considered a sign of power and wealth. Heterosexuality is seen as power. For example, heterosexuality is a way to build great empires. Coming from this strong polygamous family, heterosexuality was the only sexual identity I was ...... middle of paper ......in both men and women. In her critical studies of heterosexuality, she questions heterosexuality as inevitable and normative, and challenges its dominance. She questions the specific meaning associated with heterosexuality by focusing on the institution and the discourse. In the concept of institutionalized heterosexuality, she talks about how normative heterosexuality captures everyday life. She mentions that heterosexual status confers privileges and is considered natural and normal. Reading it made me think about how I identify as a woman and heterosexual. We could clearly see that social forces such as sexual attraction, cultural norms, religion, value system, and institutions shaped my identity. These are some of the questions Fischer addresses in his article. Basically, it explains how heterosexuality as an institution and discourse shapes our daily lives.