• Assuming that lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals are only sexual beings rather than complex people who have, among other significant features, a non-homosexual orientation.
• Assuming that every same-sex attraction is sexual or potentially sexual for lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals.
• Assuming that a lesbian, gay man, or bisexual is probably interested in you sexually, regardless of your sexual orientation.
• Interpreting everything lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals do in terms of their sexuality.
• Avoiding touching them or being too close, or being scared of them in general.

Denying Significance, Personally

• Commenting that "it doesn't matter to me that you are LGBT." A basic part of someone's identity and sense of self should matter; it just shouldn't matter negatively.
• Expecting people to avoid talking about being LGBT. Expecting them not to talk about their partners or relationships.

Denying Significance, Politically

• Criticizing LGBT individuals for "making an issue" of their sexuality. For example, commenting, "I don't care what they do in the privacy of their bedrooms, but don't tell me about it."
• Not understanding that in our culture, which is alternatively oblivious to LGBT individuals, or dangerous for them, sexuality is already a political issue.
• Not seeing that heterosexuality is politically supported by giving legal, financial, and emotional privilege to heterosexual relationships while legally denying LGBT individuals involved in same-sex relationships housing, jobs, and child custody.

Labeling Homosexuality/Bisexuality a Problem

• Diagnosing homosexuality/bisexuality, talking about cures or causes, which assumes that it's not normal and fine. A bisexual, lesbian, or gay man may need special support and/or counseling around issues of being non-heterosexual in this culture; however, the problem is heterosexism, not bisexuality/homosexuality.

Making Invisible

• Assuming that everyone is heterosexual until proven otherwise.
• Always asking women about boyfriends, and men about girlfriends.
• Assuming that marriage is everyone's goal.
• Keeping bisexuality/homosexuality invisible by not making it safe for people to be "out" or by excluding people who are "out" from visible positions where they might provide positive role models for younger LGBT individuals.
• Denying that bisexuality exists.
• Assuming that heterosexism doesn't exist because you can't see it.
• Considering heterosexism less significant than other oppressions.

Generalizing

• Assuming that one LGBT individual represents all of them.
• Conversely, completely separating one LGBT individual you know personally by saying, "You're OK: you're not like the rest of them."

Overassserting Your Heterosexuality

• Rushing to talk about your relationship when you meet an LGBT individual to make sure s/he knows you are heterosexual.
• Avoiding behaviors or dress that might cause suspicion that you are not a "real man" or a "real woman."
• Avoiding touching or close friendships with people of the same sex.
• Excusing other heterosexual people's heterosexist jokes or comments.

Expecting to Be Taught

• Putting the burden of responsibility for educating and working for change on the LGBT individual.
• Forcing LGBT individuals to always to take all of the initiative in "coming out."
• Not making openings for people to "come out" by acknowledging in conversations the possibility of non-heterosexual relations.
• Becoming upset if every LGBT individual is not always patient about educating you.