Examples of Homophobia/Biphobia/ Transphobia (from NYU Safe Zone Workshop)

• Looking at an LGBT person and automatically thinking of her/his sexuality or gender rather than seeing her/him as a whole, complex person.
  
• Failing to be supportive when your LGBT friend is sad about a quarrel or breakup.
  
• Changing your seat in a meeting because an LGBT person sat in the chair next to yours.
  
• Thinking you can spot one.
  
• Using the terms "lesbian" or "gay" as accusatory.
  
• Not asking about a woman's female lover or a man's male lover although you regularly ask "How is your husband/wife?" when you run into a heterosexual friend.
  
• Thinking that a lesbian (if you are female) or gay man (if you are male) is making sexual advances if she/he touches you.
  
• Feeling repulsed by public displays of affection between lesbians and gay men but accepting the same affectional displays between heterosexuals.
  
• Feeling that LGBT people are too outspoken about civil rights.
  
• Feeling that discussions about homophobia are not necessary since you are "okay" on these issues.
  
• Assuming that everyone you meet is heterosexual.
  
• Feeling that a lesbian is just a woman who couldn't find a man or that a lesbian is a woman who wants to be a man.
  
• Feeling that a gay man is just a man who couldn't find a woman or that a gay man is a man who wants to be a woman.
  
• Not confronting a homophobic remark for fear of being identified with or as LGBT.
  
• Worrying about the effect an LGBT volunteer/coworker will have on your work or your clients.
  
• Asking your LGBT colleagues to speak about LGBT issues, but not about other issues about which they may be knowledgeable.
  
• Focusing exclusively on someone's sexual orientation and not on other issues of concern.
  
• Being afraid to ask questions about LGBT issues when you don't know the answers.

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