New research shows Ireland’s LGBT teenagers still suffer much abuse

A reminder that things are not perfect.

A HSE-funded studied, commissioned by activist groups Glen and BeLonG To, has found that the life in entirely is still tough for young members of the LGBT community. An online survey of over 2,200 members of Ireland's LGBT community revealed that 56% of respondents aged 14-18 had engaged in self-harming behaviour and as many as 70% had contemplated suicide. Only 20% of those surveyed felt like they 'belong' in school. According to The Irish Times, one-third of those who participated in the study said that they had been threatened with physical violence as a result of their sexuality, and one-in-five had been victims of cyber-bullying. Furthermore, two-thirds of the sample reported feeling uncomfortable with the idea of expressing affection or holding hands with a partner in public. However, there is better news for the older members of Ireland's LGBT community, with most of the over-25 group reporting good self-esteem and pride in their identity.