Dutch Acceptance of Homosexuality Stalls, New Monitor Shows

Acceptance of homosexuality among Dutch adults has stopped increasing, according to the Lhbtiqa+ monitor published Tuesday by Movisie, Ipsos I&O, and Panteia. The study, commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, signals a shift after years of steady progress. While 84 percent still view gay men and lesbians positively, the share taking offense at two men kissing in public rose from over a fifth to more than a quarter in two years. Acceptance of transgender, non-binary, and intersex people also declined by several percentage points, with 35 percent now not viewing transgender women as "real women." Researchers surveyed nearly 3,000 adults and note that 18-to-30-year-olds remain the most positive, contrasting with recent Trimbos Institute findings showing sharp declines among teenagers. Additionally, over 2,300 LGBTI respondents reported higher discrimination and poorer mental health, including more frequent suicidal thoughts.