Relationship Between Exposure to Anti‐LGBTQI+ Hate Speech and LGBTQI+ People’s Wellbeing and Mental Health: The Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland Study

Anti‐LGBTQI+ hate speech, much of which is transmitted through media platforms, is a growing problem internationally and also in Ireland. Using data from a national online survey ( n = 2806) of the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ participants aged 14+ years in the Republic of Ireland (RoI), this paper examines the proportion of LGBTQI+ participants exposed to anti‐LGBTQI+ hate speech online and in public media, and the associations between exposure and indicators of wellbeing and mental health. Quantitative data collected included previously validated wellbeing and mental health measures and two closed‐ended questions on exposure to anti‐LGBTQI+ hate speech online and in public media. An open‐ended question also inquired about the impact of anti‐LGBTQI+ hate speech. The findings show that one in five participants experienced anti‐LGBTQI+ hate speech either online or in public media in the past year, while three in five witnessed it. It was most commonly encountered in the comment section of media outlets, on social media platforms like X and Facebook, and in public media, both national and international. Most exposed were the youngest participants and those identifying as transgender and gender nonconforming. Experiencing it was associated with greater mental health distress and lower wellbeing, while witnessing it was also associated with some of the mental health and wellbeing variables explored. In keeping with the quantitative findings, in the qualitative comments, participants described how anti‐LGBTQI+ rhetoric on media platforms adversely affected their mental health and sense of self, as well as the ways in which they responded to it. The results highlight the need for a coordinated response across agencies and jurisdictions to combat anti‐LGBTQI+ hate speech. Several support and education interventions are suggested by way of providing support to those targeted and affected.