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Despite social work's commitment to diversity and social justice, anti‐oppressive practice in relation to sexuality is afforded little attention in key texts. In comparison to other social divisions, there appears to be little theoretical analysis of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) oppression and few practice models. Drawing on Thompson's work, a framework for understanding the processes and structures which maintain sexuality oppression is proposed. This analysis identifies the legal, social and political inequalities in the everyday lives of LGB people. The paper examines how heterosexism can help to theorise LGB oppression and aims to translate the term into its ‘full richness’ by using three conceptual domains: normalising heterosexuality, compulsory heterosexuality and intersections with other oppressions. (i) The family is a key site in which heterosexuality is normalised. Children and family social workers are likely …