What may be happening
Homophobia and biphobia include rejection attitudes and discriminatory practices towards people because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. They can appear in repeated jokes, in questioning a relationship, or in assuming that all couples are heterosexual.
A person may decide to talk about their orientation in one space and reserve it in another. That decision does not authorize anyone to disclose information on your behalf. Nor is it necessary for someone to identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual to suffer treatment based on those assumptions.
How it can affect
Measuring what is said about a partner at work or avoiding a family conversation can be a way to protect yourself from rejection. It is advisable to ask what the person needs without turning visibility into a test of courage or commitment.
The survey by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights collects experiences of discrimination, harassment and daily difficulties among its LGBTIQ participants. They are experiences that help identify problems; Their results do not automatically describe each person's life or an identical frequency in all environments.
Facts to dispel myths
Bisexuality can involve attraction to people of more than one gender. The current couple does not invalidate someone's orientation or allow us to deduce how they organize their relationships. It is better to listen to how it is defined than to impose a label.
Sexual orientation, gender identity and sexual practices do not mean the same thing. “Men who have sex with men” (MSM) describes practices, not an identity that all such people share. No guidance alone allows us to diagnose an infection or assess a health need.
When a clinical question is relevant, it should refer to specific practices and circumstances, with a clear explanation of its purpose. The same careful attention belongs to all people.
What can we change
Use open questions like "Do you have a partner?" when that information is relevant. Don't take the gender of the partner or the type of relationship for granted. On forms and materials, check if the options allow you to describe real situations without forcing you to choose an incorrect answer.
If a demeaning joke appears, you can point out the effect and ask it to stop. It is not necessary to identify any person present to explain why they deserve to change. In schools and work teams, agree how to respond and who can receive a concern discreetly.
Illustrative situation · a team conversation
A woman mentions her partner and a colleague later shares with the entire team that she is bisexual, as if it were news. She had only talked about her life with a few people. This situation is fictitious and is not a testimony.
A possible answer. Whoever spread the information can recognize the error, stop its circulation and privately ask what reparation the person wants. Support does not consist of requiring him to publicly explain his orientation.
What can we change
Decide what to share
You can choose when, where and with whom to talk about your links. If you are seeking support, also explain what information you want to remain private.
Accompany an experience
Avoid minimizing with “it was just a joke.” Ask what happened and if the person wants intervention, company, or just to be listened to.
Check the environment
Examine training examples, forms, and common conversations. Replace assumptions with relevant questions and understandable options.
Find a next stepYou may also be interested
Sources to continue reading
- FRA · LGBTIQ equality: progress and challenges · 2024 (opens another tab)
- UNAIDS · Terminological guidance · 2024 (opens another tab)
Document consultation: September 21, 2026. The selection of sources does not amount to a professional review of this page. How we process information.