Hey there, Facebook friends! Have you ever had a simple word choice cause a whole lot of drama? Well, buckle up, because I’ve got a story for you! I’ve been with my partner Taylor for five years, and we’ve chosen to call each other ‘partners’ instead of ‘boyfriend’ and ‘girlfriend.’ We’re both straight, but some new friends I made in our new city got a little confused when they met Taylor. ♀️ Let’s dive into the story and see what happened…
Meet Taylor, My Partner ♀️

Life Partners, Not Just Boyfriend/Girlfriend

No Offense, Just Preference

Partner It Is!

Making Friends, But Where’s Taylor?

Surprise, Taylor’s a Man!

Unisex Name Confusion

The ‘Partner’ Debate

Nurse Stereotype

Confrontation Time ⚠️

Texting the Friend Group

Can’t We Use ‘Partner’? ♀️

The ‘Safe’ Friend Misunderstanding

Assumptions and Pronouns ️

Feeling Left Out

Showing Taylor’s Pictures

Assumptions on Them ♀️

The Great ‘Partner’ Debate: Queer Baiting or Misunderstanding? ️
So, I introduced my partner Taylor to my new friend Kate, and she was shocked to find out Taylor was a man! Turns out, she thought I was dating a woman because I used the term ‘partner,’ which she said is usually used by the LGBT community. Things got even more complicated when my friends accused me of ‘queer baiting’ and told me it’s unethical for straight couples to use the term ‘partner.’ I tried to explain that we just felt more comfortable with the term, but they weren’t having it. Now I feel like I’ve been kicked out of the friend group over this whole misunderstanding. Let’s see what the internet thinks of this situation…
NTA commenter suggests messaging former friends for closure

Using ‘partner’ as a gender-neutral term is inclusive and important

Partner is a valid term for all couples. NTA.

Gatekeeping and drama over a simple noun? Batty.

Defended for using ‘partner’ instead of ‘boyfriend’. Confused friends?

Find new friends who accept you for who you are

Australia approves ‘partner’ usage; NTA for not saying ‘boyfriend’.

Calling out LGBTQ+ community for discrimination

Standing up to prejudiced friends. NTA

Gender assumptions and partner vs boyfriend debate gets heated

Using partner is normalized & not queer-baiting. Friend is young.

Friendship based on false assumptions is bigoted

Using ‘partner’ is not wrong, friends are being a**holes

Using ‘partner’ doesn’t invalidate sexual orientation. NTA for clarifying.

Using ‘partner’ is normal and sounds better, I agree!

The confusion between ‘partner’ and ‘business partner’ ♂️

Defending the use of ‘partner’ and calling out sexism. NTA

Avoid drama, you’re NTA for not continuing toxic friendship.

Gay commenter defends use of “partner”, supports OP. ✌

NTA. Kate is a bigot and doesn’t listen. Just block her

Age is just a number, partner sounds mature and meaningful ❤

Using ‘partner’ promotes inclusivity, NTA commenter receives unfair backlash.

NTA offended by assumption, friends are AH for being vocal

Don’t let others invalidate your experiences.

Defending against queer baiting accusations and calling out sexism.

Using ‘partner’ over ‘boyfriend/girlfriend’ isn’t queer-baiting, NTA

Rejecting a friendship solely based on orientation is not okay. NTA

Using ‘partner’ allows queer people to not out themselves

Using partner instead of boyfriend is valid. NTA, gatekeeping is.

Using ‘partner’ is inclusive of LGBTQ+ and gender nonconforming individuals

“Partner” is a versatile term that suits all kinds!

Using ‘partner’ as a label for a committed relationship makes sense

Inclusive language wins! Partner is more inclusive than boyfriend

Debating the history of ‘partner’ vs ‘boyfriend’

Partner is a mature and gender-neutral term, NTA.

“Partner” is inclusive language. Nothing wrong with using it.

Using ‘partner’ instead of ‘boyfriend’ helps avoid assumptions.

NTA defends use of ‘partner’ over ‘boyfriend’, promoting inclusivity

Support for partner with unisex name, backlash against judgmental friends.

Using ‘partner’ instead of ‘boyfriend’ is valid. NTA

Call it what you want. Queer baiting is ridiculous. NTA

Defend yourself against unwarranted assumptions. Partner is fine

LGBTQ infighting over vocabulary – ridiculous or necessary?

A gay man calls out the poster for only befriending lesbians

Using “partner” is valid and professional, don’t shame others’ choices

User dismisses controversy as silly and blames accusers for assuming.

A Catholic and Southern perspective on ‘partner’ versus ‘boyfriend’

Choosing to use partner instead of bf/gf, NTA ️

Partner vs. Boyfriend: LGBTQ+ Inclusivity or Queer Baiting?

Polyamorous commenter explains deeper commitment signified by ‘partner’ label

Partner vs. Boyfriend debate: NTA for using ‘partner’

Using ‘partner’ is valid and inclusive. No gatekeeping needed! ✅ ️

Using ‘partner’ doesn’t always mean romantic partner, it can refer to business partner too.

Partner controversy: Is it queer baiting to not say boyfriend?
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/7bf53fee-e528-4fca-84c0-83da179560f6.png)
Using ‘partner’ is progressive and acceptable for straight individuals

Defending the use of ‘partner’ against queer-baiting accusations

Defiant comment stands up against censorship

Discussion on partner vs boyfriend and a surprising recruiter encounter

Straight people using ‘partner’ isn’t queer baiting. NTA.

A fiery response to an accusation of queer baiting ️

Irony at its finest in the LGBTQ+ community

The controversy around the use of the word ‘partner’.

Lesbian defends use of ‘partner’, calls out gatekeeping in community

Defending the use of ‘partner’ as gender neutral. NTA

Embrace the discomfort, use LOVER instead of partner!

Gay man defends use of ‘partner’ and criticizes gender norms.

Debate over ‘partner’ vs. ‘boyfriend’ sparks assumptions and controversy

Normalization of ‘partner’ vs Queer baiting in fictitious writing

Using ‘partner’ instead of ‘boyfriend’ is valid and practical

Using ‘partner’ is neutral. Accusations of ‘queer baiting’ unfounded.

No need to be someone’s friend based on their sexuality

Defending the use of ‘partner’ and its benefits for LGBTQ+

Partner vs boyfriend debate for LGBTQ+ couples explained

“Partner” is a non-offensive term to use and NTA.

Straightforward response to ignorant comment
