So I work in the construction industry and I'll just say that almost everyone is homophobic. As I like to say, they're all straight until they visit the Home Depot glory hole.

I also pass for straight and coming out to people all the time is exhausting; so I only do it on an as-needed basis. My coworker's don't need to know I'm gay because I generally keep my work and personal life separate all together (hobbies, interests, family, relationships, etc)

But occasionally there come times when you just need to mention your relationship in conversation. To me, "significant other" and "partner" always seem like a politically correct ways of saying "LGBTQ husband/boyfriend/wife/girlfriend/etc." and bring that everyone in the office are conservative I feel like that'd be picked up because as someone who is more moderate himself, that's how I perceive that all the time.

I could just lie and call him my girlfriend, but that's not right in my book. Thoughts?

Edit: because it seems to keep coming up, I live on Long Island NY, not Wyoming or the Middle East lol.