Over the past year, 36% of LGBTIQ+ people aged 18 to 24 in Spain experienced discrimination. In addition, more than 40% of respondents experienced harassment, while 20% experienced physical violence.
Human rights organisations also draw attention to the prevalence of online violence: young people under the age of 35 account for around half of those who have experienced it.
Discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression exacerbates the problems young people already face due to precarious employment and the housing crisis. In particular, LGBTIQ+ people may experience discrimination when looking for work or renting a home.
Another issue is the phenomenon known as sexilio, in which a person is forced to leave their hometown or village because of LGBTIQ-phobia. According to the report Estado del Odio LGTBI+ 2025: Sexilio, 20% of people aged 24 to 35 have experienced this, compared with 13% of all LGBTIQ+ respondents surveyed.
The Spanish State Federation of LGBTI+ People calls for the needs of LGBTIQ+ youth to be taken into account in public policy and for them to be involved in decision-making, rather than limiting support to symbolic gestures.
