Youthnet study
The study carried out by Youthnet (Carolan and Redmond, 2003),
commissioned by the Department of Education, involved a questionnaire
survey and focus groups for young people. The research found that there was
typically a five year period between young people knowing they were LGBT
and telling someone else. The vast majority (78%) came out to friends first,
and most (63%) felt they could not tell their parents when they first came out.
Though the vast majority (86%) were aware of their orientation at school, very
few got information or support at school. Many had experienced negative
attitudes or bullying, with few seeking support, and some leaving school earlier
than they would have preferred because of bullying. A significant minority
(29%) of young people who took part in the research had attempted suicide,
and half of those who identified as transgendered had self-harmed. Half of
respondents had also experienced negative attitudes towards sexual
orientation while they were members of youth organisations, though the
majority (78%) believed that youth organisations should deal with the needs of
young LGBT people. The majority of youth organisations surveyed indicated
that they would like access to training for staff on issues which affect young
LGBT people. The report makes a series of recommendations about the
development of support services for young LGBT people and about training. It
also calls upon the Department of Education to initiate a taskforce to address
issues such as bullying and negative and risk taking behaviours of LGBT
young people.