In the same survey 60 percent of people admitted to not intervening when they overheard homophobic comments

The online survey of 2008 adults was carried out by YouGov for Stonewall.

It also discovered that women were twice as likely as men to confront someone using offensive comments about LGBT people.

30 percent of those surveyed had heard language such ‘poof’ or ‘dyke’ used in a derogatory way in the past month. 49 percent had heard this sort of abuse in the past year.

Stonewall is asking people to sign up to its No Bystander pledge. This is a promise to call out abuse and to be brave, be heard and be kind. So far more than 16,500 people have signed up.

Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s Chief Executive, said: “These shocking statistics show we have a lot to do before we live in a society where everyone is treated equally.

“To change this, we need people to step in and stand up. We need people to be brave, be heard and be kind. Challenging bullying requires courage but it does make a difference. We’re not asking people to step into situations that are dangerous or to put themselves at risk – not being a bystander can be simply offering support to someone who has been bullied.

“Every one of us has the power to make change and if we each commit to call out abuse and bullying, together we can create a world where everyone is accepted without exception.”