Almost half of LGBTQ+ children who turn to Childline have fears of coming out
New data shows almost half of LGBTQ+ children contact Childline out of fear of coming out and never being accepted.
Last year the NSPCC service carried out 2,457 counseling sessions for children and young people struggling with issues or concerns around sexuality and gender identity.
The survey found that opening up was the top concern of more than 40 percent of those receiving support. These included alienation from their friendship groups, concerns about their parents’ reactions, and problems with their mental health.
The new figures will be released at the start of Pride Month. Independent It’s releasing its annual Pride List for 2026, celebrating some of the people making a difference in the LGBTQ+ community, but it’s also highlighting the need for more awareness.
A 17-year-old boy told the service: “I have only recently begun to accept myself as gay, after years of bullying.
“I was afraid my parents would find out because yesterday my cousin texted me and told me what she knew about me. I’m in school but I’m not ready for my whole family to know. I was planning to wait until I moved to college to tell them. I feel like I’m losing control.”
Other concerns include questioning sexuality or gender identity, experiencing discrimination or prejudice, and gender dysphoria.
Where gender was known, 64 percent of these counseling sessions were with youth who identified as transgender or non-binary.
A 14-year-old transgender boy said: “It’s hard for my mom to accept me for who I am because of what she reads and sees in the media about other trans youth. This has caused a lot of misunderstanding for her about what it means to be trans and created a lot of anger about it.”
Gender dysphoria is a feeling of distress that can occur when a person’s gender identity differs from their biological sex.
Childline director Shaun Friel said: “Young people face many challenges and concerns when it comes to sexuality and gender identity.
“At Childline, we regularly hear from people who are reluctant to voice their concerns about being judged by their families or alienated by a group of friends who don’t accept them. We also regularly hear from trans and non-binary children who feel like they will never be accepted if they come out and that the world is against them.
“This Pride Month, we want to reassure all children that they can come to Childline as their true selves. Childline is here to be a confidential and fully accepting space where young people can freely discuss their concerns and feelings.”
