Nearly half of LGBTQ+ children contact Childline with fears of coming out and never being accepted, new data has shown.
The NSPCC service delivered 2,457 counselling sessions last year to children and young people struggling with issues or concerns around sexuality and gender identity.
Research found that of those receiving support, more than 40 per cent cited coming out as their biggest worry. That included being alienated from friendship groups, concerns over their parents’ reactions, and having difficulties with their mental health.
The new figures are revealed at the start of Pride Month and as The Independent publishes its annual Pride List for 2026, celebrating some of the figures in the LGBTQ+ community who have made a difference – but also showing more awareness is needed.
One boy, aged 17, told the service: “I’ve only recently started accepting myself as gay after years of bullying.
“I’ve been freaking out that my parents will find out, because yesterday my cousin texted me saying that they know about me. I’m out at 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 their sexuality or gender identity, discrimination or prejudice and experiencing gender dysphoria.
Where gender was known, 64 per cent of these counselling sessions were with young people who identify as transgender or non-binary.
A 14-year-old trans boy said, “I think it’s hard for my mum to accept who I am because of what she reads and sees in the media about other trans teenagers. It’s caused a lot of misunderstanding for her about what being trans means and has created a lot of anger around it.”
Gender dysphoria is a feeling of distress that can happen when a person’s gender identity differs from their biological sex.
Childline director Shaun Friel said, “Young people face many difficulties and worries when it comes to sexuality and gender identity.
“At Childline, we regularly hear from those who are scared to come out; expressing anxieties about being judged by their family or alienated by a friend group that doesn’t accept them. We also hear from trans and non-binary children who feel that 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 reach out to Childline as their authentic selves. Childline is here to be a confidential and wholly accepting space, where young people can discuss their concerns and feelings freely.”
