LGBT Scots drink “heavily” when they first come out and are expected to consume more alcohol in the gay scene, a study has found.
A team from Glasgow Caledonian University was commissioned to investigate the role of alcohol in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP).
Survey participants described drinking heavily when they revealed their sexual or gender identity and encountered the commercial gay scene.
Many said there was an “expectation that they would continue to drink more heavily on this scene” than anywhere else as they grew older.
Meanwhile, participants also said a perceived lack of support by peers and alcohol services create barriers which stop LGBT people seeking help for drink problems.
The team said: “These findings have implications for diversity training among health professionals, the need for alternative sources of support for LGBT people with drinking problems, and the need for health promotion around alcohol on the commercial gay scene and to wider LGBT communities.
“The research suggests that future work should focus on how alcohol companies are marketing their products to the LGBT community both locally in venues, and nationally and internationally using social and traditional media.
“As within Scottish society as a whole, it is important to provide an awareness of alternatives to the automatic assumption that heavy drinking is the norm and to highlight the possibility of changing drinking cultures.”
The findings will be presented at the Scottish Parliament next week.
Lead researcher Dr Carol Emslie said: “Drinking is central to the commercial gay scene and the alcohol industry is increasingly marketing their products directly to LGBT consumers.
“We need to make sure there are more places in Scotland where LGBT people can meet to socialise without alcohol, as well as working towards a culture where all groups in society find it acceptable to drink moderately, or indeed to choose not to drink at all.”
Meanwhile, SHAAP director Eric Carlin said: “LGBT people are as susceptible to getting into problems with alcohol as anyone else.
“However, this study shows that many LGBT people still feel stigmatised and support services can feel intimidating.
“Hopefully, this report will provide useful insights to reduce barriers to LGBT people accessing support.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here