LGBTQ+ acceptance declines among Dutch youth

A recent study by Utrecht University and the Trimbos Institute reveals a significant decline in the acceptance of homosexuality among school-aged children in the Netherlands. After a period of rising acceptance since 2009, the HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) research shows that acceptance has nearly halved among 11- to 16-year-olds over the last four years.

In Hattem, local officials have responded to the findings by launching the ‘Kleurrijk Jezelf Zijn’ (Colorful Being Yourself) week to promote dialogue and understanding. The municipal executive emphasized that while diverse opinions exist, respect and equal treatment under Article 1 of the Constitution are non-negotiable. They aim to engage both those who feel excluded and those who struggle with the LGBTQ+ community to prevent further social division.

Regional representatives, including Arjen Polstra of COC Groningen & Drenthe, noted that this decline is also reflected in local safety perceptions. In Groningen, individuals with queer identities reported feeling less safe in 2024 compared to 2016. Observers attribute the shift to several factors, including the influence of social media, the ‘manosphere’, and a rise in political conservatism and far-right rhetoric regarding gender and identity issues.