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Childline delivers thousands of counselling sessions to young people about sexuality and gender identity issues

We’re reminding young people that Childline is confidential and here to help

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  • In 2024/251, Childline delivered over 2,4002 counselling sessions to children and young people with issues or concerns about sexuality and gender identity.
  • Two in five3 of these counselling sessions were about coming out.
  • This Pride Month, Childline is reminding young people that it is a confidential place to turn to for help and support.
  • For the third year, Lidl GB is sponsoring our presence at Pride events in Great Britain, helping the charity to reach more people that need their support.

As Pride Month gets underway, we're reminding children and young people of all ages that Childline is here to help, whatever their worry.

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Young people's concerns

In 2024/25, we delivered 2,411 counselling sessions on the topic of sexuality and gender identity. Over 40% of these counselling sessions focused on the issue of coming out, with many young people expressing their anxieties around being judged if they were to reveal their sexuality.

Young people contacting the service about coming out say that they’re worried about their parents’ reaction, being alienated from friendship groups and difficulties with their mental health as a result.

One boy, aged 16, told Childline4:

“I want to tell my parents I’m bisexual but I’m scared of what they’ll think. They come from a strict background, and I’ve seen them judging others for being gay. We’re close but they don’t have a clue about me. I don’t want to disappoint them, I just want to be accepted for who I am.”

When contacting Childline to talk about sexuality and gender identity, other concerns for young people included:

  • Questioning sexuality or gender identity
  • Discrimination or prejudice
  • Bullying.

One transgender boy, aged 17, told Childline:

"I'm trans and still kinda in the process of figuring my identity out. There's been so much hate for us lately in the news in terms of people taking their lives, kids being attacked, governments putting harmful laws in place. I'm scared as to what this means for my future, and if I'll ever be able to live as myself."

Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said:

"Coming out remains one of the main subjects that young people want to discuss when contacting Childline about their sexuality or gender identity.

“It is a privilege that young people turn to the service to help them navigate a pivotal and potentially difficult moment in their lives. Our trained counsellors are there to offer impartial support to help them to manage these often complex emotions.

“This Pride Month, I want to remind all young people that Childline is here to provide a safe, confidential space where they can discuss their feelings and concerns freely.”

Our response

We’re encouraging adults to be understanding and respectful when young people are exploring their sexuality and gender identity. Childline is there for any young person wishing to discuss these topics.

This year, we will be marching together with Lidl GB at four major Prides, including in London. The retailer is also sponsoring us to have a presence at Pride for the third year in row, meaning we will attend 21 events up and down the country in support of LGBTQ+ young people.

Help and resources for adults and children

For children and young people

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References

  1. 1) 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

  2. 2) In 2024/25 Childline delivered 2,411 counselling sessions where the young person’s main concern was sexuality and gender identity.

  3. 3) 1004 (42%) of these counselling sessions discussed “coming out”

  4. 4) Snapshots are based on real Childline service users but are not necessarily direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child or young person involved.