Don't: Assume that everyone is either homosexual or heterosexual.
Do: Assume everyone is a sexual person who may be attracted to and/or sexually or romantically involved with a partner of the same or opposite sex. Attraction and/or involvement fall along a continuum for everyone, which can vary over time.

Don't: Assume that a lesbian, gay, or bisexual person's sexuality is the most important aspect of that person.
Do: Assume that everyone is a multi-faceted individual for who sexuality is one aspect of his/her life among many.

Don't: Assume that gay, lesbian, or bisexual is the cause of a problem in the person's life. "He's depressed all the time because he's gay."
Do: Assume that gay, lesbian, and bisexual people have the same problems as everyone else. They are just as likely to be well adjusted, and just as likely to have difficulty coping with stresses in their lives. Because of discrimination, they have to deal with particular stresses.

Don't: Assume that being gay in our society is so hard and presents so many problems that you should feel sorry for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people and/or assume that they would all really rather be heterosexual.
Do: Assume that a same-sex erotic and romantic orientation is as legitimate as an opposite-sex orientation.

Don't: Assume that being gay, lesbian, or bisexual "doesn't matter": "They are the same as everybody else, and I treat everyone the same."
Do: Assume the experience of being gay, lesbian, or bisexual in a homophobic and heterosexist society has a profound effect on how that person views him/herself and how she/he experiences the world.