Homophobic / Biphobic / Transphobic abuse

Homophobia: Stonewell define homophobia as an irrational hatred, intolerance, and fear of lesbian, gay and bisexual people and their culture.

A more in depth definition of homophobia taken from the Anti-Defamation League says that homophobia ‘is the hatred or fear of homosexuals – that is, lesbians and gay men – sometimes leading to acts of violence and expressions of hostility. Homophobia is not confined to any one segment of society, and can be found in people from all walks of life’.

Transphobia: refers to discrimination against transsexuality and transsexual or transgender people based on the expression of their internal gender identity. Another definition argues that Transphobia is ‘treating a person who displays their gender in unconventional ways less favorably than those who may be more conventional’.

Biphobia: a term used to describe fear of and aversion towards bisexuality and bisexuals as a social group or as individuals. People of any sexual orientation can experience such feelings of fear and aversion. Also described as ‘the fear, hatred or intolerance of bisexual men and women by heterosexuals, gay men, and lesbians, or by bisexuals themselves’.