Bullying: 4 in 5 Countries Have No Laws Protecting LGBTI Youth
Geneva (Switzerland), 5 November 2025 – A significant portion of the world still lacks explicit legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LGBTI) youth against bullying in educational settings, according to ILGA World.
Data from the ILGA World Database indicates that only six UN member states have enacted comprehensive anti-bullying laws that safeguard young people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC). At least one of these categories, however, is explicitly included in legislation by about 40 UN member states—just one-fifth of the global total.
“No matter where we begin our journey, the beliefs that guide us, or the lives we can build for our families, most people want youth to travel safely through an education that can grant them a future,” said Gurchaten Sandhu, Director of Programmes at ILGA World.
“But for far too many, bullying becomes a major roadblock along the way. And when governments refuse to take action, they leave those roadblocks in place—or worse, allow for the debris to fall and make a difficult path into a landslide.”
ILGA World emphasized that bullying seriously harms LGBTI students’ mental health, reducing both academic performance and employment opportunities, while also increasing healthcare and social support costs.
Author’s Summary
Around 80% of countries still fail to provide legal protection against bullying for LGBTI students, leaving many exposed to discrimination and its lasting consequences.