A new research report published by the National LGBT Federation (NXF) shows a broad acceptance of LGBT+ identities in Ireland, and a desire to not judge, categorise or prescribe how LGBT+ people live.

The report consisted of a survey of over 700 members of the Irish public over the course of 2021 with a view to assess attitudes towards different groups of people within the LGBT+ community, and to explore beliefs about gender and sexuality.

Feeling Thermometer

The survey used a “feeling thermometer”, whereby members of the public were asked to rate their feelings between 0 and 100 towards different members of the LGBT+ community.

Key findings from the feeling thermometer include:
• That gay men (89) and lesbian women (87) had the most favourable median ratings.
• Trans men (76), trans women (76) and intersex (73) people were rated slightly less favourably.
• The median Feeling Thermometer response of the survey participants was lowest for non-binary people (65).
• For benchmarking purposes, items related to straight women and straight men were included and these groups received median ratings of 98 and 91 respectively.

Speaking about the results of the Feeling Thermometer, Dr Chris Noone, report author, psychologist and NXF board member said:

While the LGBT+ community is often discussed as if it is a homogenous group, there are, in reality, many LGBT+ communities. We wanted to assess the public’s attitudes towards different LGBT+ communities and, in general, the results of the survey show a broadly positive response towards the different LGBT+ communities. However, this positivity is more apparent for those that don’t transgress gender norms; and points to greater support needed for bisexual people, trans and non-binary people and intersex people and greater efforts to challenge these norms.

Other key findings from the survey include:
• Strong support for hate crime legislation and ban of so-called “conversion therapy”
• 49% agreed that “it is impossible to truly change one’s sexual orientation”.
• 54% agreed that “people who say there are only two genders are mistaken”.
• Only 26% of respondents agreed that the heterosexual couples make the best parents.
• 90% agreed that the Government should ensure that incitement to hatred and hate crimes against LGBTI+ people should be adequately addressed in our laws.
• 64% of participants agreed that “The Government should prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland”.

Adam Long, Advocacy & Policy for the NXF, said:

It is especially encouraging to see such overwhelming public support for effective LGBT+ inclusive Hate Crime legislation and a ban on the dangerous and discredited practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ – two key policy priorities for the NXF in 2022. Once again we see that the Irish public firmly supports socially progressive change and reform.

The report was officially launched at online event tonight (Wednesday, March 1st). Hosted by NXF Board member Anna Nolan, the event featured panel discussions and Q&As with a diverse range of LGBT+ organisations from around the country, including Amach LGBT, LINC, Advocating for Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Ireland, and Bi+ Ireland.

Read the full report

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New research report shows broad acceptance of LGBT+ identities in Ireland

Feeling Thermometer

Speaking about the results of the Feeling Thermometer, Dr Chris Noone, report author, psychologist and NXF board member said:

Adam Long, Advocacy & Policy for the NXF, said:

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