The vast majority of gay and lesbians surveyed in new research say they have been verbally abused because of their sexual identity.
A report shows that 80 per cent of respondents say they have been verbally abused, while 40 per cent say they have been punched, kicked or beaten.
For the most vulnerable, the research shows many have harmed themselves or considered suicide due to psychological distress arising from stigmatisation and harassment.
But the report also shows that most people develop resilience to harassment and go on to lead happy and satisfying lives.
The report is based on findings from 1,110 completed online surveys and from 40 in-depth face-to-face interviews with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of all ages.
The research was conducted by the Children's Research Centre in TCD and the School of Education at UCD and was commissioned by the BeLonG To Youth Service and the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen).
Most bullying or harassment was experienced in the education system, with almost 60 per cent reporting homophobic bullying in their schools. At school, 40 per cent said they had been verbally threatened by fellow students, while 20 per cent skipped school because they felt threatened or were afraid of getting hurt.
Many people said they turned to friends and family for support and helped develop resilience through positive experiences in communities, schools or at workplaces.
The study also found the majority (81 per cent) of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender (LGBT) people are now comfortable with their identity, with over two thirds of respondents coming out to all their immediate families.
Michael Barron, director of BeLonG To Youth Service, said the study showed many LGBT people still face considerable discrimination and harassment in their day to day lives. "The majority of LGBT people show considerable courage and learn to cope with the stress this causes. Critically important to coping is the support of families and friends, and the help found by engaging with LGBT organisations," he said.
Launching the report today, Minister for Health Mary Harney said it was important that health services provide the kind of psychological support that is needed by gay or lesbian people in distress. However, she also said the wider community has a crucial role to support members of the LGBT community and urged parents to be as supportive to their children as possible over issues such as sexual identity.
The research also found the most common age that LGBT people realized their sexual orientation was 12 years of age, while the most common age that they disclosed their identity to others was 17.
"On average, there was a seven year period between people knowing they were LGBT and disclosing this to others. This period of vulnerability coincided with participant's school-going years and their negotiation of early adulthood – a time of critical social and emotional development," Mr Barron added.
