Engaging with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Service Users Monty Moncrieff Antidote

Research Sources  Drug misuse amongst people from the lesbian, gay and bisexual community (2003)  Wasted Opportunities – Problematic Drug & Alcohol Use Amongst Gay & Bisexual Men (2009)  Statistics on Alcohol - England NHS Information Centre

The LGBT Alcohol Strategy

 Not explicit in national strategy (alcohol or drugs)  Sexual orientation not compulsorily monitored  Norm of binary gender identity (only male or female options)  Policy does not identify patterns of use or social contexts reflective of LGBT lifestyles  Few targeted services (and no residential)

The extent of alcohol use in the LGBT community  92% drink alcohol (72% wider community)  67% more than weekly (46% wider community)  One-third state concern over use/frequency of use  Studies showing consistently higher use by LGBT people  Consistently higher levels of problematic use

Reasons for problematic use  Homophobia  Internalised homophobia & self-identity  Mitigating social unease  Alleviating loneliness & unhappiness  Enabling sexual encounters  Gay norms of alcohol use

Access to services  Inequality of access  Fears of homophobia  Confidentiality  Pathologised, stigmatised, negatively judged  Lack of understanding of LGBT issues  Invisibility  Safety

Making progress  GLADA Strategic Priority 4.1c – Promoting equality of access to alcohol treatment for all Londoners  Explore the need for cross-borough, -sector and pan-London commissioning for certain population groups  Make strategic priority for Joint Action Group  Lobby for national strategic priority

Local change  Actively tackle homophobia – policy, practice, actions  Raise awareness of LGBT issues and lifestyles  Recognition and acceptance of differing LGBT needs  Increased visibility – service users, staff, resources, interventions  Specialist LGBT service provision – own or in partnerships

Contact Details  Antidote  Toni Hogg, David Stuart  