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Online Disinformation Strengthens Declining Acceptance of Homosexuality: 'Students Talk About Letter Soup and Gender Doctrines'
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A study by Utrecht University and the Trimbos Institute reveals that acceptance of homosexuality among Dutch youth aged 11 to 16 is falling, with positive attitudes dropping significantly between 2021 and 2025. Discrimination researcher Hanneke Felten attributes this decline to increased exposure to online disinformation and conspiracy theories regarding LGBTI individuals. Staatssecretaris Judith Tielen described the trend as severe and announced additional support for schools to improve LGBTI acceptance. Meanwhile, educators report growing resistance to visibility initiatives like Purple Friday, which students sometimes counter with opposing actions.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's