Exploring Experiences of Substance Use Stigma in LGBTQIA+ Communities

Date: Thursday 5 June

Time: 12.30 – 2pm

We have chosen to split the next webinar into two parts. Stigma related to drug and alcohol use within LGBTQIA+ communities involves deeply layered and interconnected social, cultural, and structural issues. We recognise the diversity of identity, thought, experience, and opinion within LGBTQIA+ communities.

By splitting this into two parts, we aim to create space for a richer, more inclusive dialogue and a broader diversity of representation across panel members. By allowing time between sessions, we aim to encourage self-reflection and give participants space to absorb and critically process the conversations.

Panel Members 

Daren Lacey – Host 

The Inclusion Co-ordinator at Forward Trust is now an openly proud gay man. It wasn't always that way, having struggled to accept his sexuality, he spent more than two decades in active addiction. Darren approached Forward Trust for support in 2018, on his 40th birthday. After gaining abstinence, he volunteered and then started working for them. Darren's role, whilst initially started out ensuring services and interventions were in place for the LGBTQ+ community, is now looking at other underserved and underrepresented groups and adapting delivery to welcome every diverse community into service.

Catherine Meads
 
A Professor of Health at Anglia Ruskin University and a senior systematic reviewer. She completed her medical degree at the University of Leicester, and PhD and MPH at the University of Birmingham. She has been conducting research into sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTQ+) health since 1992 and has published several ground-breaking papers in this area. Recently, she completed a review of the education of health professionals in LGB&T health issues for Dr Michael Brady, National Advisor for LGBT Health at NHS England. She has delivered numerous public lectures, spoken at a Select Committee and All-Party Parliamentary Groups, taught undergraduate medical and nursing students and helped develop an e-learning package for GPs. She has been on several LGB&T conference steering committees and study advisory committees. She was a member of the UK Government Equalities Office LGBT Advisory Panel from 2018 to 2021.

Wezz

Wezz identifies as a recovering alcoholic and a transgender woman. She has been on her recovery journey for over two years and describes it as one of the kindest things she has ever done for herself. After completing a residential treatment programme, Wezz settled in Glasgow, where she has been studying and working with LGBTQIA+ individuals accessing support services.

A passionate advocate for inclusive and effective treatment, Wezz draws on her recent lived experience to support people accessing services within LGBTQIA+ communities affected by substance use. She is currently working with Phoenix Futures.

Mark Adley

Dr Mark Adley has a background working within HIV/AIDS, substance use (prison, community, and residential), youth offending, homelessness, and primary care settings. He has recently completed an NIHR-funded PhD which took an intersectional look at queer marginalisation within health and social care services in the North East. The Open Access scoping review from the PhD not only identified a mirroring of stigma within SMD3 services but also the privileging of White gay men within LGBTQ+ research.

Learning objectives

• Examine the Impact of Stigma on Access to Support
  Understand how stigma creates barriers to healthcare, recovery services, and harm reduction support for LGBTQIA+ people.
  

• Challenge Assumptions and Biases 
  Reflect on personal and systemic biases that may affect the quality of support provided to LGBTQIA+ individuals.
  

• Explore Inclusive and Affirming Approaches
  Learn about practical strategies to create safer, more inclusive, and affirming environments in services that support people affected by substance use.
  

• Promote Stigma-Reduction Practices in Your Work
  Identify ways to advocate for change within your organisation or community and apply Anti-Stigma principles to your professional practice.