A new campaign is being launched to raise awareness of the higher risks the LGBT community face from alcohol and drugs.
Researchers found a higher level of substance use in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as the “gay scene” often involves going to pubs and clubs.
The #KinderStrongerBetter campaign calls for tailored, “non-judgmental” support for members of the LGBT community with concerns over an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and drugs.
The campaign, launched today, is run by Glasgow LGBTQI Substance Use Partnership, a coalition of groups who believe the community is excluded from health services such as alcohol and drug support.
David Barbour, co-convener of the partnership, said substance use within the LGBT community has been “flying under the radar for a long time”.
He said there has been a disproportionate focus on the harm caused by chemsex –the practice of using drugs during sex, particularly among gay and bisexual men.
He said: “While chemsex is a hugely important issue, harm is also caused to LGBT people by other drugs, especially the most socially acceptable of all – alcohol.”
Barbour said the trauma of grappling with sexuality, often from a young age, and being subjected to prejudices made the LGBT community vulnerable to mental health issues and “self-medicating”.
Charity Stonewall found a third of lesbian and bisexual women drink three times or more in the week compared to 25 per cent of women in general. Figures show 42 per cent of gay and bisexual men drink three or more times a week, compared to 35 per cent of men in the general population.
A trans mental health study also found 47 per cent of transgender people drink at “high and potentially problematic levels”.
Campaigners say the LGBT community often don’t seek help, fearing mainstream drug and alcohol support services will not understand their issues.
The partnership’s co-convener Ash Husband said professional support services should be tailored to meet the needs of the LGBT community but added they should also help each other.
The campaign will launch with the release of four short videos.
● To access the campaign, go to kinderstrongerbetter.org or view the launch films at dailyrecord.co.uk
