Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 11 May 2022
Like colleagues, I begin by thanking Emma Roddick for bringing the motion and the debate to the chamber. I also thank Jamie Greene for his contribution as co-convener of the LGBT+ cross-party group and both colleagues for the work that they do on that group; indeed, I thank all other colleagues who are members of or who support that group. I think that it does vitally important work in our Parliament in representing the important issues for LGBT+ people across Scotland—and none is more important than the issue that we are debating this evening.
I also thank SHAAP for its work with Glasgow Caledonian University on the report. If I may, Presiding Officer, I would like to plug an event that is coming up in the Parliament in June. I am delighted to be hosting SHAAP and Glasgow Caledonian University to mark pride month, which will give us all an opportunity to hear more about their work and to engage more fully in it. I would welcome all colleagues to that event.
As we have heard already, many communities in Scotland suffer from health inequalities when it comes to the overconsumption of alcohol, and Scotland’s LGBT+ community is among them. Evidence shows that although alcohol-free spaces for LGBT+ people are highly valued where they exist, alcohol still plays a central role in most LGBT+ safe spaces. We have heard from colleagues about their own experience of that, and I would echo much of what has been said. It is so important that our towns and cities have a gay scene and areas where there are bars, cafes and other places that are safe spaces for LGBT+ people. However, those spaces are often based around a drinking culture and alcohol, and that can be very challenging for some people. We need to widen out those safe spaces and ensure that many of them are as safe as they can be.
I point to what Jamie Greene said about the challenges that we know exist around access to sports for LGBT+ people. Historically, many people have not engaged in sports and find it difficult to do so. We know that LEAP Sports Scotland and others are doing a huge job of work to try to make sport more accessible and to ensure that people are welcomed.
The SHAAP research points to challenges for LGBT+ people in accessing alcohol support services as a result of misconceptions that are embedded in those services regarding the sexuality or gender identity of their service users. Indeed, very often how people’s sexuality or gender identity influences wider relationships with alcohol is misunderstood.
We have made great strides in Scotland when it comes to protecting the rights of LGBT+ people and amplifying voices, but it is clear that we still have a lot of work to do. The threat and reality of discrimination can have a devastating impact on wellbeing and can contribute to the reality that LGBT+ people are particularly vulnerable to experiencing poor mental health. Colleagues—particularly Pam Duncan-Glancy—have spoken about LGBT Youth Scotland, evidencing some of their recent work in that regard.
Testimonies have shown that mainstream health services are not always inclusive. Members of the LGBT+ community are not just more likely to struggle with mental health issues and alcohol misuse, but less likely to receive the support that they need when they are facing those struggles. Glasgow Caledonian University’s report displays the LGBT+ community’s concerns that alcohol services are often intimidating and oriented towards white, straight men, and that support groups are not gay friendly. We all have a right to support and it is vital that that right is accessible to everyone across all communities, especially marginalised groups such as LGBT+ people.
We must commit to the provision of additional alcohol-free spaces in the LGBT community and more widely. We must provide spaces where people can express themselves and unite, free from alcohol, if that is what they choose to do. That is a key step towards improving things for people who are isolated and providing social support, and I think that it is particularly important for people who are under 18. I think that we would all want to try and engage with LGBT Youth Scotland and others to look at those issues, in particular.
Once again, I thank Emma Roddick for bringing this timely debate and urge all colleagues to attend the event with SHAAP in June.
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