New research from ILGA World has revealed that only 1 in 5 countries globally have laws that explicitly protect LGBTI+ students from bullying in schools — leaving the vast majority of queer and gender-diverse youth vulnerable to harassment, abuse, and systemic neglect.
According to ILGA’s latest data, just six countries — Andorra, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain — have comprehensive anti-bullying legislation that protects students based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.
An additional 40 countries, including New Zealand, offer some form of legal protection, most commonly addressing bullying related to sexual orientation or gender identity — but these are often partial or inconsistent.
That leaves over 140 United Nations member states with no specific legal protections for LGBTI+ youth facing bullying in schools.
“Bullying Becomes a Major Roadblock”
The impact of bullying goes far beyond the classroom. It has been linked to higher dropout rates, limited career and education prospects, and significantly increased suicide risk among queer youth.
“Most people want youth to travel safely through an education that can grant them a future,” said Gurchaten Sandhu, Director of Programmes at ILGA World.
“But for far too many, bullying becomes a major roadblock along the way. And when governments refuse to take action, they leave those roadblocks in place — or worse, allow for the debris to fall and make a difficult path into a landslide.”
Signs of Hope Amidst Backlash
Despite rising global hostility toward LGBTI+ people in many regions, ILGA World highlighted signs of progress in some countries.
In the last two years:
- Chile, Estonia, and Ukraine have discussed new legal protections for LGBTI+ youth
- The Solomon Islands launched a public consultation to create an inclusive anti-bullying policy
- In Brazil, the Federal Supreme Court ruled that schools have a legal duty to prevent bullying based on gender identity and sexual orientation
These developments suggest growing awareness of the need for proactive legislation — even amid rising political pushback.
“Inaction Hurts Everyone”
“Bullying harms LGBTI students’ mental health and lowers their academic and job prospects,” Sandhu added. “Its consequences drive up healthcare and social support costs. If states are serious about creating a more economically prosperous future for all, they should know that their inaction is bad not just for LGBTI individuals, but for society as a whole.”
Kimberly Frost and Yuri Guaiana, Co-Secretaries General of ILGA World, called on more governments to act urgently.
“Most of us work hard for our families, no matter what they look like,” they said.
“But today, a powerful few fuel divisions among us and block our efforts to ensure safe and welcoming schools. We must join together and advocate for laws ensuring that every youth can enjoy a high-quality education that lets them pursue their dreams — without exceptions or roadblocks.”
