Homophobia and transphobia refer to hate that you or anyone else believes is motivated by hostility or prejudice against people within the LGBT+ community.
Homophobia is the hostility towards gay individuals and biphobia is the hostility against bisexual individuals. Transphobia is the prejudice against transgender individuals. For further definitions of these LGBT+ terms, please click here.
It’s important to recognise that the LGBT+ community is wide-ranging, and any member of this community can be affected by this type of hate. You can be a victim of this type of hate is someone believes you’re LGBT+, even if you’re not. You can also be the victimised because of your association with members of the LGBT+ community.
If you have been subjected to homophobic or transphobic hate, you may be embarrassed to report or worried about what might happen.
Examples of homophobic and transphobic hate: Homophobic and transphobic behaviour can take many forms, including derogatory name-calling or ‘banter’, threatening to ‘out’ someone, and unwanted physical contact or violence. This type of hate could happen in person or online, via social media.
An example of homophobic hate would be implying that being gay is negative by using ‘gay’ to describe something negative: e.g. “That’s gay, I don’t like it.” It’s also homophobic to say that someone ‘doesn’t look’ LGBT+, as this reinforces negative ideas that you can tell someone’s sexual orientation from their appearance.
Repeatedly mis-gendering someone on purpose, i.e. referring to them as ‘he’ or ‘him’ when they identify as she/her, would be considered transphobic. It is also transphobic to deny someone access to services or facilities tailored to their gender identity, such as denying a trans woman access to a women’s bathroom.
Biphobia often involves questioning or invalidating those who are bisexual. For example, saying that being bisexual is “just a phase” and suggesting that bisexual people need to ‘make their mind up’ undermines bisexuality as a valid sexual orientation.
Independent specialist support (UK specific)
- Switchboard is a confidential and non-judgmental helpline that provides support and information to members of the LGBTQ+ community. The helpline is a safe space for anything to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual identity and emotional wellbeing. All helpline volunteers identify as LGBTQ+. Call 0800 0119 100 or use the online chat function. The helpline is available 10:00-22:00 Monday to Sunday. You can also email hello@switchboard.lgbt.
- Galop are a charity supporting LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse or violence, such as hate crime, domestic abuse and sexual violence. The national helpline offers emotional support, as well as providing information and practical advice. Call 0800 999 5428 to access the helpline or use the webchat feature. The helpline is available 10:00-20:30, Monday to Thursday. You can also email help@galop.org.uk at any time.
- LGBT Foundation is a national charity providing advice, support and information services to LGBTQ+ communities. Call 0345 3 30 30 30 to access advice and support or email info@lgbt.foundation.
- Regard is a charity that provides information, advice and support to LGBTQ+ disabled people. They operate as a self-help group with a variety of resources accessible on their website. They don’t offer advice or support on a professional basis.
- Victim Support Scotland provides free and confidential help to victims of crime, their family, friends and anyone else affected. They give information, and emotional and practical support. Call 0800 160 1985. The helpline is available 08:00-20:00 Monday to Friday, and 09:00-01:00 on Saturday. You can also contact them via their webchat service, or by completing the online Self-Referral form.