#MARREF: A record number of people have come out in the last year, but problems remain

A lot of work done, a lot more still to do...

New research released today by BeLonG To, the national LGBT+ youth organisation, has revealed a huge surge in the number of people who've come out since last year's marriage referendum. The survey showed that 53% of 1,361 respondents across all genders and sexualities knew someone who'd come out in the last year. In heartening news, 39% of respondents who identify as LGBT+ said that they'd spoken to someone for the first time about their sexuality because of the confidence they'd received from the Yes vote. However, the survey showed that the Yes vote has created a false impression among some heterosexual young people who believe that equality for LGBT+ people has been achieved and we should now move on to other issues. 31% of heterosexual young people believe this to be true, in contrast to just 7% of LGBT+ young people. More worrying still is the presence of homophobic or transphobic bullying which is still evident, with 56% of young people agreeing that it hasn't stopped since the referendum. Speaking on the results of the survey, Frances Fitzgerald, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality said, "I stand proud of the Irish people who came together and voted with their hearts last summer and changed Ireland forever. "We took an extraordinary step forward for justice and equality for all citizens. However,we cannot assume that equality has been achieved and the job is done. "While the future is secured, the present can still be a frightening place for LGBT+ young people. We need to keep saying YES to supporting young LGBT+ people.”