Dutch gay men and lesbians feel more insecure in their own neighbourhoods than heterosexuals, the national statistics office CBS said on Thursday.

One in five gay men (22%) say they feel uneasy on their home turf on occasion, compared with 14% of heterosexual men. One in four lesbians also feels insecure, a slightly higher percentage than among straight women.

Gay men also report a reduction in community spirit and having less contact with their neighbours. This applies to both city and village dwellers, the CBS said.