A  new study from mental health charity beyondblue has found that not only is homophobia rife among young men, not much is being done to counter it.

The organisation’s study of 300 14 to 17-year-olds looked at attitudes to same-sex attracted people.

It found that 40 per cent of teenage boys felt ‘‘anxious or uncomfortable’’ around same-sex attracted people.

More than a third of those interviewed agreed that they would not be happy to have a gay person in their social group and 25 per cent thought it was acceptable to use the word ‘‘gay’’ as a derogatory term.

Perhaps the most alarming thing about this study is that it suggested that young males were more homophobic than the public in general.

That is particularly worrying because gay teenagers find it difficult enough coming to terms with their sexuality without having to contend with the pressure of social isolation or bullying

Teenagers can be particularly susceptible to depression or other forms of mental illness sparked by cruel discrimination in the school grounds, on social media or on the sports field.

Research shows that young gay people of both sexes are already three to six times more likely to be distressed than their straight peers and high levels of distress have a strong link to depression, anxiety and suicide.

Schools, parents, sports groups and community organisations all have an important role to play in helping youngsters understand that just because someone’s sexuality is different to theirs it doesn’t mean they should be feared, denigrated or ostracised.

 It is encouraging to see organisations like beyondblue raise awareness of the issue of homophobia, but surely tolerance, acceptance and understanding of an individual’s sexuality and basic human rights should not be something we have to be taught in this day and age.