LGBT communities and substance use in Queensland, Australia: Perceptions of young people and community stakeholders.

David J Kavanagh,Leanne Hides,Daniel Demant,Katherine M White

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204730

David J Kavanagh, Leanne Hides + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204730

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Abstract

Sexual minority young people use licit and illicit substances at disproportionate levels. However, little is known about the perceptions of substance use among members of LGBT communities. This paper reports the results of a content analysis of 45 semi-structured interviews about substance use in LGBT communities with sexual minority young people (n = 31) and community stakeholders (n = 14). Results indicated both sexual minority youth and community stakeholders perceived the use and acceptance of substances to be higher in LGBT communities compared to the general population. Participants identified a range of characteristics potentially leading to higher levels of substance use including peer pressure, high exposure to substance use, and the high concentrations of licensed venues in LGBT communities. Marginalisation, discrimination and mental health were also perceived as important reasons for these disparities. Community stakeholders identified a range of potential interventions including legislation to address discrimination and substance use, increased services and activities, advertising in commercial LGBT venues and social media, and reinvigorating community cohesion.

Highlights

Sexual minority adolescents and young adults have worse health outcomes than their sexual majority peers [1] including disproportionate levels of alcohol [2], tobacco [3], and illicit substance use [4, 5]
The majority of sexual minority young people considered substance use to be a major problem within LGBT communities and perceived LGBT young people to have higher rates of substance use and to be more experienced in using a range of licit and illicit substances than the general population
The findings of this study suggest that sexual minority young people are aware of the high levels of acceptability and elevated rates of substance use within their community

Summary

Introduction

Sexual minority adolescents and young adults have worse health outcomes than their sexual majority peers [1] including disproportionate levels of alcohol [2], tobacco [3], and illicit substance use [4, 5]. Research has shown that certain substances such as methamphetamine or GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) are used at high rates among gay and bisexual men for sexual sensation seeking [6, 7], among those living with HIV or AIDS [8]. While the body of research on the health of sexual minorities is growing, the majority of current research focuses on sexual health among gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men [9].

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