Young Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People face discrimination and negativity

A new poll commissioned by METRO suggests that despite huge strides towards equality in recent times, young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are still not able to be completely open about their sexuality and identity without fear of negative reactions and that 59% of people in the North West have witnessed or are aware of discrimination and abuse of LGBT people.  The same poll also shows that whilst awareness of discrimination against LGBT people is high, 78% of people in the North West support the need for more and improved services for young LGBT people.  The poll of over 1,000 people of all ages across Great Britain conducted by Populus finds that nationwide:-

► 76% of people believe that young LGBT people experience negative reactions when they are open about their identity at school

► The same proportion (76%) believe that young LGBT people experience negative reactions in the street when they are open about their identity and worryingly this figure rises to 84% of 18 to 24 year olds

► 66% believe that young LGBT people experience negative reactions when they are open about their identity at work

► Nearly 60% believe that young LGBT people experience negative reactions from their parents when they are open about their identity

These findings are perhaps not surprising when set alongside other findings from the poll about discrimination and abuse of LGBT people with 10% of people being aware of or having witnessed physical abuse of LGBT people and 33% having witnessed or been aware of verbal abuse of LGBT people – rising to half of all 18 to 24 year olds. The poll also confirms that the use of the term 'gay' in the negative is widespread.

The findings come as a national survey of 15,000 young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people is launched. Youth Chances is the biggest ever social research and influencing project of its kind, aiming to find out direct from young people about their experiences of education, employment, health, community and relationships. Over 5 years Youth Chances is engaging service providers, service commissioners, policymakers as well as young people themselves to identify the needs of young LGBT people and make recommendations to improve their lives.

One of the main reasons for the Youth Chances Survey is because there is such little reliable data available about LGBT people generally and young people specifically. Current estimates of young LGB people in the North West area vary widely from approximately 19,700 to 65,700. There is no data about numbers of transgender young people.

Youth Chances will be on the road over the summer at various events to promote the survey to young people and will be making a splash at Manchester Pride on 25 August 2012.

Dr Greg Ussher, Deputy CEO of Metro said:- "Metro’s expertise in working with young LGBT people over nearly 30 years was the catalyst for Youth Chances. There have been major steps forward in LGBT equality and in understanding the needs of young people, but as the findings of this poll show we still have a long way to go to eliminating discrimination and ensuring that sexuality and gender identity are not barriers to young people’s happiness and wellbeing. The findings are perhaps not so surprising when we consider the questioning of equality in current debates about equal marriage, which must be bewildering for most young people. Youth Chances offers us an opportunity to turn things around and make a real difference. I appeal to all providers and commissioners of services in the North West to get on board to make that difference and to young people to make their voices heard."

Dan Baker, Youth Chances Project Manager said:- "These findings really demonstrate the importance of Youth Chances and the need for us to understand directly from young people themselves about the challenges they face. It saddens me that when young people need the most support and understanding, they still face discrimination and fear because of who they are. I want to encourage as many young people as possible to take part in the Youth Chances online survey so that their experiences can be counted. There is clear support in the general population for more and better support for young LGBT people and I am committed to ensuring that Youth Chances results in recommendations for change and a real difference to young people’s lives in the North West and across England."