This page provides a list of research pieces and reports that look at substance use and other related health inequalities faced by the LGBTQI community in Scotland, the UK and the rest of the world. Much of this research informs the work of our partnership.

Batchelder, A et al. Intersecting internalized stigmas and HIV self-care among men who have sex with men and who use substances. Social Science & Medicine, 275, 2021.

Bloomfield, K., Wicki, M., Wilsnack, S., Hughes, T., & Gmel, G. (2011). International Differences in Alcohol Use According to Sexual Orientation. Substance Abuse, 32(4), 210–219.

Boyd et al, (2019), Severity of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use Disorders Among Sexual Minority Individuals and Their “Not Sure” Counterparts, Mary Ann Liebert Inc Publishers

Coia et al. (2014). HIV Prevention Needs Assessment of Men Who Have Sex with Men NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde: Scottish Government. 

Connolly et al. (2022), Dependence Between Transgender and Cisgender Participants from the 2018 Global Drug Survey

Cornell Health, Why Biology Matters When it Comes to Drinking Alcohol

Emslie et al. 2015, The social context of LGBT people’s drinking in Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University

Emslie et al. 2022, What are LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of alcohol services in Scotland? A qualitative study of service users and service providers.

Dimova et al 2021, Alcohol interventions for LGBTQ+ adults: A systematic review, Glasgow Caledonian University

Guasp, A. (2011). Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health Survey: Stonewall.

Haik, A et al (2022), Recovery among sexual minorities in the united states population: Prevalence, characteristics, quality of life and functioning compared with heterosexual majority

Hepatitis Scotland et al, 2016, Chemsex in Scotland, Starting the Conversation.  

Hibbert, M (2020), Sexualised drug use among LGBT people: a mixed methods study of reasons for engagement and associations with physical and psychological wellbeing

Hughes, T., & Eliason, M. (2002). Substance Use and Abuse in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Populations. Journal of Primary Prevention, 22(3), 263–298.

Hunt, R., & Fish, J. (2008). Prescription for change: Lesbian and bisexual women’s health check De Montfort University: Stonewall.

Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Issues and Research Gaps and Opportunities, 2011, The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. 

Keogh, P., Reid, D., Bourne, A., Weatherburn, P., Hickson, F., Jessup, K., & Hammond, G. (2009). Wasted opportunities. Problematic alcohol and drug use among gay men and bisexual men. London: Sigma Research.

Kidd, J. D., Everett, B. G., Corbeil, T., Shea, E., & Hughes, T. L. (2022). Gender self-concept and hazardous drinking among sexual minority women: Results from the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW) Study. Addictive Behaviors, 107366. DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107366.

King, M., Semlyen, J., Tai, S. S., Killaspy, H., Osborn, D., Popelyuk, D., & Nazareth, I. (2008). A systematic review of mental disorder, suicide, and deliberate self harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people. BMC psychiatry, 8(1), 70. BMC Psychiatry, 8(1), 70.

Leven T, 2020, Health needs assessment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and non-binary people, NHS GGC & NHS Lothian

LGBT Foundation and AHSN Network: LGBT Health Inequalities in the UK Literature Review (2021)

Li, J., & McDaid, L. (2014). Alcohol and drug use during unprotected anal intercourse among gay and bisexual men in Scotland: what are the implications for HIV prevention? . Sexually Transmitted Infections, 90(2), 125–132.

Peter Matthews, Christopher Poyner & Richard Kjellgren (2019) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer experiences of homelessness and identity: insecurity and home(o)normativity, International Journal of Housing Policy, 19:2, 232-253, DOI: 10.1080/19491247.2018.1519341

Moncrieff, M. (2014). Out of your mind. Improving provision of drug and alcohol treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual & trans people. London: London Friend.

NHS Digital, 2021, Health and health-related behaviours of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual adults

Pachankis et al, 2015, The Mental Health of Sexual Minority Adults in and out of the closet: A population based study. 

Parra et al, 2016, Minority Stress Predicts Depression in Lesbian, Gay and Bi-sexual emerging adults via Elevated Diurnal Cortisol

Transgender Alliance Scotland (2016), Transgender Inclusion in Drug and Alcohol Services.

Transgender Alliance Scotland et al (2012), Trans Mental Health Study 

 Waverley Care and Transgender Alliance Scotland (2020), There needs to be care throughout: exploring the access of non-binary people, trans men and trans women to sexual health services in Scotland

Reports

Life in Scotland for LGBT Young People (2022)

LGBT Health & Wellbeing et al, LGBTI Populations and Mental Health Inequality (2018). 

Public Health England, 2014, Promoting the health and wellbeing of gay, bi-sexual and other men who have sex with men. 

Stonewall, LGBT in Britain – Home and Communities (2018). 

Stonewall Scotland, School Report Scotland: The experiences of lesbian, gay, bi and trans young people in Scotland’s schools (2017)

The Albert Kennedy Trust, LGBT Youth Homelessness: A UK scoping of cause, prevalence, response and outcome (2015)