Nearly half of Irish pupils expect gay, lesbian and bisexual classmates to be bullied after coming out, poll finds

Irish LGBT youth organisation Belong To published polling results on 2 November 2026 showing that 48% of post-primary pupils believe a classmate would be bullied if they came out as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

The proportion rises to 52% if a classmate comes out as trans. Empathy Research conducted the survey in December 2025, a month after last year’s Stand Up Awareness Week school campaign.

In the 2025 poll, 76% of respondents considered their school a safe and supportive environment for LGBT pupils. That compares with 72% in 2023 and 75% in 2024.

The findings were released to mark the start of this year’s Stand Up Awareness Week, running in Ireland from 2 to 6 November 2026. The annual campaign against anti-LGBT bullying in schools and youth centres is now in its 17th year. According to Belong To, 68% of schools in the country took part in 2025.

The campaign launched at Kingswood Community College in Dublin under the theme “You Belong Here”. Belong To chief executive Kieran O’Donovan called the polling findings concerning and said young people should not have to hide who they are for fear of bullying. Schools’ plans for the week include art competitions, Rainbow jumper days, rainbow walkways and LGBT-inclusive lessons across different subjects.

As PinkNews reports, Irish comedian and podcaster Emma Doran became the campaign’s first parent ambassador. At the launch, she said pupils should not have to hide part of themselves to fit in or stay safe.