GCU research on alcohol and LGBTQ+ people inspires new KinderStrongerBetter campaign

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) research demonstrating that alcohol is central to the gay scene and to LGBTQ+ social life in Scotland is the inspiration behind a new health campaign.

The study, led by Professor Carol Emslie and funded by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, also found that LGBTQ+ people often perceived that alcohol treatment services and peer support groups were not safe or welcoming places.  

The new KinderStrongerBetter campaign, developed by LGBTQ+ community volunteers, to raise awareness of the health inequalities experienced by LGBTQ+ people around alcohol and drugs, direct them to available support and issue a call to action.

The challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community include homophobia, biphobia or transphobia, rejection from family and friends, and bullying or violence because of their sexual orientation, which can have an impact on the way some people use alcohol and drugs.

The campaign calls for kindness, being non-judgemental, knowing your limits and having a right to support within the LGBTQ+ community.

The campaign was launched on Monday, June 29, is led by GCU community partners Glasgow Council on Alcohol and Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs.

Professor Emslie said: “I’m delighted that our research at Glasgow Caledonian University has inspired the new KinderStrongerBetter campaign.

“I hope the campaign succeeds in raising awareness of the inequalities experienced by LGBTQ+ people around alcohol and signposts people to available support.  

“The alcohol industry is increasingly marketing products directly to LGBTQ+ consumers.  We need to make sure there are places in Scotland where it is acceptable to drink moderately or indeed to choose not to drink at all.”

Find out more about the campaign here – https://kinderstrongerbetter.org/

Professor Emslie’s research paper here - https://bit.ly/2B96IAq