Capella Associates Resources

What is homophobia and biphobia?

Homophobia and biphobia are the fear or dislike of someone, based on prejudice or negative attitudes, beliefs or views about lesbian, gay or bi people. This can also include denying somebody’s lesbian, gay or bi identity or refusing to accept it. Homophobia may be targeted at people who are, or who are perceived to be, lesbian, gay or bi.

What is homophobic and biphobic bullying?

Homophobic bullying 

• Bullying based on prejudice or negative attitudes, beliefs or views about, or behaviours towards, lesbian or gay people. 
• Bi people can also be targeted by homophobic bullying if somebody thinks that they are lesbian or gay. 
• Can also include denying somebody’s lesbian, gay or bi identity or refusing to accept it.
• May be targeted at people who are, or who are perceived to be, lesbian, gay or bi. It can also suggest that someone or something is less worthy because they are lesbian, gay or bi.                                                                                  
• Can also be targeted at people who have lesbian, gay or bi family members, and those who do not conform to gender stereotypes or are seen to be ‘different’ in some way, regardless of whether the person is actually lesbian, gay or bi.

Biphobic bullying

• Bullying based on prejudice or negative attitudes, beliefs or views about, or behaviours towards, bi people. 
• Can also include denying somebody’s bi identity or refusing to accept it.
• May be targeted at people who are openly bi, those who are questioning their sexual orientation, or who are suspected of being bi. 
• Can also be targeted at people who have bi family members. 
• May target people with negative stereotyping (for example suggesting that they are greedy) or imply that being bi is a phase.

Like other forms of bullying, homophobic and biphobic bullying behaviours:

• Are intentional
• Are repeated over time
• Cause physical and/or emotional harm to the victim
• Can happen online as well as in person
• Can take lots of different forms, including but not limited to, physical, verbal or emotional actions

Source: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/

The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 ensures legal protection against discrimination (direct or indirect) for everyone under the nine protected characteristics defined in the Act, one of which is sexual orientation.

The Equality Act 2010 says you must not be discriminated against because:

• you are heterosexual, gay, lesbian or bisexual
• someone thinks you have a particular sexual orientation (this is known as discrimination by perception)
• you are connected to someone who has a particular sexual orientation (this is known as discrimination by association)

In the Equality Act, sexual orientation includes how you choose to express your sexual orientation, such as through your appearance or the places you visit.

Source: Sexual orientation discrimination | Equality and Human Rights Commission (equalityhumanrights.com)

What action can I take?

If you are being bullied or you are aware that someone is being bullied, please report this to someone in authority. There are several avenues that you could take to report the incident. You could talk to your:

• Local police on 101 to report a concern
• Manager
• Human Resources (HR) Department
• Trade Union Representative
• Apprenticeship Training Provider – we encourage learners to report all incidents of bullying to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a member of the Capella team that you feel comfortable speaking to. All reports will be taken seriously. Bullying is never acceptable and will not be tolerated.

If this does not work, you can make a formal complaint using your employer’s grievance procedure. The Equality Act (2010) recognises you may be worried about complaining, you have extra legal protection when you complain about discrimination.

Key Contacts

Please report any concerns to our Designated Safeguarding Lead. 

Further Information and support 

You may also find it helpful to know about national organisations that may be able to provide you with support, and we have listed a number of these below for your information. Please be aware that Capella has not conducted any due diligence on the organisations and as such, we cannot vouch for or recommend their services.