- Almost half of the LGTBI+ population aged 18 to 24 (47%) has had some type of suicidal ideation before the age of 18, according to the report “LGTBI+ Status 2026: Education” from the State Federation LGTBI+ (FELGTBI+).
- School bullying doubles the risk: among those who suffered bullying in Primary school, 66% had suicidal thoughts, and in Secondary school, the figure rises to 82% among those who had suicidal ideation.
- The Federation calls for the widespread implementation of Diversity Education and a State Pact against Hate Speech, and launches the third edition of its campaign “Mute the Myth”.
FELGTBI+ warns that almost half of the LGTBI+ population aged 18 to 24 (47%) has had some type of suicidal ideation before the age of 18. This data comes from the research “LGTBI+ Status 2026: Education”, conducted by the Federation and published this Thursday, which directly links this figure to the bullying suffered by LGTBI+ students.
What does the report “LGTBI+ Status 2026: Education” reveal?
The report reveals that 47% of LGTBI+ youth aged 18 to 24 had some type of suicidal ideation before reaching adulthood, and establishes a direct relationship between that figure and school bullying. The study, prepared by FELGTBI+ and published this Thursday, analyzes the educational experience of LGTBI+ youth in Spain, from bullying to the support figures available to this group.
School bullying doubles the risk of suicidal ideation
Suffering bullying in Primary Education almost doubles the risk of having suicidal thoughts, according to the report’s data. In that stage, 40% of all LGTBI+ youth suffered school bullying, a figure that skyrockets to 66% (almost 7 out of 10) among those who had suicidal ideation before the age of 18.
In Secondary school, the presence of bullying increases “alarmingly”: it affects 54% of all LGTBI+ students, and that figure rises to 82% among those who reported suicidal ideation.
The president of FELGTBI+, Paula Iglesias, explains that “school bullying destroys self-esteem and fractures identity; it generates a sense of helplessness; it causes isolation and breaks trust bonds”. “These data show that bullying is one of the risk factors for suicidal ideation, especially when it is intense, prolonged, or combined with a lack of social support,” she assures.
Family and teachers, absent as trusted figures
According to the report’s conclusions, the family does not appear among the main trusted figures for LGTBI+ youth, and only 2 out of 10 young people claim to have trusted teachers. “Having at least one adult reference person who listens, validates suffering, and acts is one of the main protective factors against suicide. When that support does not exist or is not perceived, the psychological impact of bullying can be much greater,” Iglesias states.
Solutions: Education in Diversity and a State Pact against Hate
The president of the Federation considers it “fundamental to cut this problem at the root” through the widespread implementation of Education in sexual, gender, family, and bodily diversity throughout the state territory, “as required by current legislation”.
Iglesias also urgently demands a State Pact against Hate Speech towards groups in vulnerable situations, to stop “the spiral of violence that increases daily with the hatred and lies that spread through social networks and in the public sphere”. “These discourses normalize and legitimize the violence that seeps into our homes,” she warns, and assures that hate speech has tripled the assaults against the group in just two years.
“Mute the Myth”: the campaign that confronts lies with influencers
On the occasion of the back-to-school 2026, FELGTBI+ launches this September the third edition of its campaign “Mute the Myth”, an initiative that has historically debunked lies about the group among the younger population. This new edition goes further: through recognized influencers, it conveys to youth the real consequences of the lies and hate speech that circulate daily on social networks in the form of jokes, nicknames, stereotypes, or myths.
The campaign features influencers Rita Zubia, Mer Gómez, Kenya Stephanie, Zoe García, Lara Casas, David Andújar, and Rusly Cachina, among others. “We have been dismantling these myths for years. However, every time they are shared again, they cause harm again. Because the problem is not just that they are false. It is that they have real consequences,” explains Rita Zubia.
“On social media, it is too easy to opine about how someone speaks, gestures, or expresses themselves (…) You also don’t see those who stop showing themselves as they are to avoid becoming the center of mockery,” shares Zoe García.
According to FELGTBI+’s own report, approximately 1 in 10 LGTBI+ people aged 18 to 24 suffered insults, isolation, degrading treatment, or cyberbullying during their Secondary Education, and cyberbullying is the third most common form of harassment against LGTBI+ children and youth. The campaign has been available since this Thursday at www.mutealmito.es.
Frequently asked questions about the FELGTBI+ report
What percentage of LGTBI+ youth has had suicidal thoughts? According to the report “LGTBI+ Status 2026: Education” from FELGTBI+, 47% of the LGTBI+ population aged 18 to 24 has had some type of suicidal ideation before the age of 18.
How does school bullying influence suicidal ideation? School bullying almost doubles the risk: 66% of those who suffered bullying in Primary and 82% of those who suffered it in Secondary had suicidal ideation, compared to 40% and 54% of the total LGTBI+ student population, respectively.
Who does LGTBI+ youth trust when they suffer bullying? According to the report, the family does not appear among the main trusted figures, and only 2 out of 10 LGTBI+ youth say they have trusted teachers.
What does FELGTBI+ demand to stop this problem? The Federation calls for the widespread implementation of Education in sexual, gender, family, and bodily diversity, and a State Pact against Hate Speech.
What is the “Mute the Myth” campaign? It is FELGTBI+’s campaign, in its third edition, that uses influencers to show youth the real consequences of lies and hate speech towards the LGTBI+ group. It is available at mutealmito.es.
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time
If you are thinking about suicide or are worried about someone who might be, you can call the 024, the suicide prevention hotline of the Ministry of Health, available 24 hours a day, for free and confidential support. You can also go to the emergency room or contact a mental health service. You are not alone.
