New research by academics at Bristol University's Norah Fry Research Centre, working in partnership with Terrence Higgins Trust and REGARD, found significant barriers were put in the way of people with learning difficulties exercising their human rights to consenting same sex relationships.
The barriers included:
Despite these barriers the desire to meet and get to know other people was one of the strongest messages from the research. Most people wanted to fall in love and have more gay and lesbian friends.
David Abbott, Research Fellow at the Norah Fry Research Centre, said: "Despite the very many messages telling men and women with learning difficulties that it is a problem for them to be sexual at all - never mind gay, lesbian, or bisexual - people were forging their lives and identities and striving to lead full sexual and emotional lives.
"However, much work needs to be done to ensure that the human rights of people with learning difficulties who are gay, lesbian or bisexual are upheld and supported."
Sue Peters, Regional Manager at Terrence Higgins Trust West, added: "This research has uncovered much of what was previously hidden in the lives and experiences of people with learning difficulties.
"I am sure there are more challenges ahead before this issue can be said to be properly tackled."