Newly released findings suggest many students still expect LGBTQ+ classmates to face bullying, as Ireland’s annual inclusion campaign returns.
Almost half of post-primary students surveyed in Ireland believe a classmate would be bullied if they came out as lesbian, gay or bisexual, according to findings released by Belong To — LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland.
The figure was 48%, rising to 52% for a classmate coming out as trans.
What The Figures Show
Published on 2 November, the findings come from research conducted by Empathy Research in December 2025. They describe students’ expectations, rather than the proportion of LGBTQ+ students who have experienced bullying.
There was also encouragement: 76% felt their school offered LGBTQ+ students a safe, supportive environment, compared with 72% in 2023.
You Belong Here
Stand Up Awareness Week runs from 2–6 November under the theme You Belong Here. Now in its 17th year, it encourages schools and youth settings to challenge anti-LGBTQ+ bullying through activities and inclusive teaching.
For Aotearoa’s rainbow communities, the findings offer a conversation starter about belonging at school. They are Irish results, however, and should not be read as a measure of New Zealand students’ experiences.
