What does LGBTQUAphobia look like?

What is LGBTQUAphobia?

LGBTQUAphobia is defined as the fear, hatred, or mistrust of, or discomfort with, people who are LGBTQUA+.

This fear, hatred, mistrust, and discomfort can manifest in people's attitudes, language, and behaviour in a multitude of different ways. We will explore what this looks like in practice below.

What might LGBTQUAphobia look like in practice?

Looks, stares, glares and other facial expressions.
Pointing or laughing at someone because of their gender expression.
Mocking or ridiculing someone because of their gender expression, mannerisms, or voice.
Doing an impression of someone in such a way as to demean, humiliate or embarrass them.
Asking questions designed to harass or humiliate, such as those which seek to question or invalidate someone's gender identity or sexuality.
Displaying revulsion or repulsion towards LGBTQUA+ people and their actions, such as displays of affection like hand-holding or kissing in public.
Inappropriate jokes or 'banter'
Name-calling
Humiliate, demean, embarrass?
Anger etc.
Invasive questions
Negative comments
Excessive criticism
Denial, or refusal to acknowledge gender identity or sexuality
Deadnaming
Misgendering
Insistence on adherence to cis-/hetero-normative expectations
Avoidance
- Changing seat, or not sitting near someone
Social isolation and exclusion
Barriers to access
- Toilets and other single-gender spaces
- Denied appropriate provision
Lack of support
Opposition to LGBTQUA+ inclusion
Misinformation, proliferation of myths and misconceptions
Withdrawal or denial of access, support, opportunities, or services
- Toilets and other single-gender spaces
Harassment
- Street harassment e.g. holding hands
- Verbal harassment
Bullying
Stalking
Outing
Threats
- Physical violence, sexual violence
Theft or damage to property
Blackmail
Hate crime and hate incidents
Discrimination
- Unemployment and poverty
- Housing and homelessness
Victimisation
Physical violence
Domestic abuse
Psychological abuse
Sexual violence
Attempts to 'convert' someone
Denial that LGBTQUAphobia exists/is a serious problem
Conflation of LGBTQUA+ identity with paedophilia
Implying non-LGBTQUA+ superiority
Stereotyping
Over-emphasis on a person's LGBTQUA+ identity
Equating their personality, preferences, or actions with their LGBTQUA+ identity
Using LGBTQUA+ terms as negative
- That's so gay
Repeated failure to confront/challenge LGBTQUAphobia
Asking people to hide or disguise their gender identity, trans identity, and/or sexuality
Assuming everyone is, can be, or wants to be cisgender and heterosexual
Asserting that someone is LGBTQUA+ because they couldn't find a woman/man
Conflating sexuality with gender identity, that gay men are inherently more feminine
Not wanting to be associated with LGBTQUA+ people
'agenda', 'lobby'