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

• In 2024/25, Childline delivered over 2,400 counselling sessions to children and young people with issues or concerns about sexuality and gender identity.
• Two in five (42%) 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.
• NSPCC Cymru will be attending Pride Cymru on Saturday in support of LGBTQ+ young people 

This Pride month, Childline is reminding children and young people of all ages that it is here to help, whatever their worry.

Between 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025, the NSPCC-service 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 are telling trained counsellors that they’re worried about their parents’ reaction, being alienated from friendship groups and difficulties with their mental health as a result. 

One girl, aged 12 from Wales, told Childline: “Some kids in my class make fun of LGBTQ+ people, and that really hurts me.

“I want to tell my parents I’m a lesbian, but I’m scared if people at school find out.

“I have supportive friends who would accept me and could even help me prepare for the conversation with my family, but I worry people talk behind my back and judge me.”

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.”

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

NSPCC Cymru will be attending the parade at Pride Cymru in Cardiff on Saturday in support of LGBTQ+ young people.

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

Young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or via childline.org.uk, where they can speak to a trained counsellor about any concerns they may have.

The Childline website has advice and support around sexuality and gender identity for young people.