Report Finds LGBTQI Community More Likely to Drink Alcohol Yet Face More Barriers Accessing Support
The MSP for Stirling, Evelyn Tweed, has joined a debate in Scottish Parliament calling for more support for LGBTQI people affected by alcohol dependence.
The debate was in response to a report by the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems[1] (SHAAP) released in March which identified specific barriers to LGBTQI people accessing alcohol services. These included concerns about discrimination, services not being viewed as LGBTQI friendly, and a lack of openness or discussion around sexuality and gender from service providers.
Respondents to the study also told of their concerns that excessive drinking was normalised among LGBTQI people and that there was a lack of alcohol-free spaces for that community in Scotland.
In Parliament Evelyn Tweed gave details of an anonymous Stirling constituent who said: “I started to drink when I was about 16. Initially I drank “just to fit in” at the weekend, normal teenage stuff. However, my drinking became more problematic in the run up to, and after, I came out as gay at 17.
“The single memory I have that led me to drinking more frequently, was a teacher pulling me aside ahead of a school trip and saying to me, ‘You’ll be sharing a room with other boys so no funny business’.
“This event sticks in my head so vividly. It made me feel isolated and ashamed of my sexuality. After this I began to drink almost every night after school and there were a few occasions where I drank at lunchtimes during the school day. There is no doubt my shame of being gay definitely led to me drinking more heavily.”
A Scottish LGBT Equality report in 2015 found 97% of LGBT people in Scotland have personally faced prejudice or discrimination. Incidents reported by LGBT people ranged from homophobic, biphobic and transphobic comments and attitudes (82%), to acts of verbal (68%), physical (16%) and sexual abuse (7%), crimes against property (12%), and discriminatory treatment when accessing services (25%) and in employment (24%).[2]
Evelyn Tweed said: “Whilst alcohol plays a central role in social connections, for some in the LGBTQI community drinking may be a response to discrimination, family rejection or forming their identity.
“With this report’s recommendations, we could make a real difference to the experience of LGBTQI people.
“I welcome better links between alcohol and mental health services, as well as more focus on how we de-normalise drinking for all young people, in particular LGBTQI people.”
“Scotland is proud to place inclusivity at the heart of what we do so let’s listen to the LGBTQI community and use their lived experience to improve our offering to them in public services.”
References
[1] https://shaap.org.uk/downloads/408-lgbtq-alcohol-services-2022/viewdocument/408.html
[1] https://www.equality-network.org/resources/publications/policy/the-scottish-lgbt-equality-report/
[1] https://shaap.org.uk/downloads/408-lgbtq-alcohol-services-2022/viewdocument/408.html
[2] https://www.equality-network.org/resources/publications/policy/the-scottish-lgbt-equality-report/
