Members' Business — S6M-03631 Emma Roddick: LGBTQ+ People's Experiences of Alcohol Services in Scotland

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the report, What are LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of alcohol services in Scotland? A qualitative study of service users and service providers, which was carried out by Prof Carol Emslie and colleagues at Glasgow Caledonian University, and funded by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP); understands that the report highlights significant alcohol-related health inequalities experienced by LGBTQ+ people in Scotland, including in the Highlands and Islands region; further understands that people who identify as LGBTQ+ are more likely to experience problems with alcohol; considers that the central role of alcohol in the community, combined with barriers to accessing treatment and support, are the key areas that surfaced with regards to alcohol misuse; notes the calls for alcohol services to demonstrate appropriate inclusivity and diversity policies, LGBTQ+ training, and work towards the LGBT Charter; further notes the view that alcohol services need stronger links to mental health services, and notes the recommendations to policy makers that LGBTQ+ people should be considered in the forthcoming Alcohol Treatment Guidelines, that alcohol-free spaces for LGBTQ+ people should be supported, and that the Parliament should show leadership on LGBTQ+ issues to help tackle the stigma that people face.