# Redact sexual orientation

> Redact references to sexual orientation from free text and HR records.

Canonical: https://bitbanger.in/entities/orientation
Last updated: 2026-10-27

Category: Special-category data · Entity type: `special.orientation`

Sexual orientation is among the most sensitive categories in any dataset and one of the most damaging to leak, including in jurisdictions where disclosure carries legal risk.

## How Redactly detects sexual orientation

- Detected by the model from free text, including indirect references such as a partner description.
- Detection is model-based rather than keyword-based, so phrasing that avoids obvious terms can still be caught.
- Reported as a distinct type so you can apply your own handling policy.

## Why redact sexual orientation?

Disclosure can expose a person to harm in jurisdictions where this data is criminalised, so precision matters less than never missing it.

## Example request

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.bitbanger.in/v1/redact \
  -H "X-API-Key: rdct_your_key_here" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"text": "Employee listed their spouse, a same-sex partner, as next of kin.", "style": "replace"}'
```

## FAQ

**Does Redactly redact sexual orientation automatically?**

Yes. Send text to the API and every detected type is redacted, including sexual orientation. To redact only this type, pass the value special.orientation in the entities filter. No training or configuration is required.

**What happens to sexual orientation after redaction?**

With style set to replace, each match becomes [special.orientation] — the entity type in square brackets. Setting style to mask replaces every character with a block character, and remove deletes the span entirely.

## Related entity types

- [Religious beliefs](https://bitbanger.in/entities/religion) — Redact references to religious belief or affiliation from HR records, applications, and free text.
- [Political opinions](https://bitbanger.in/entities/political) — Redact political opinions and affiliations from free text, surveys, and HR records.
- [Health status](https://bitbanger.in/entities/health-status) — Redact statements about a person's health, disability, or medical status from free text.

Try it on your own text: https://bitbanger.in/entities/orientation