The role of alcohol in identity construction among LGBT people: a qualitative study

Emslie, C., Lennox, J. and Ireland, L. (2017) The role of alcohol in identity construction among LGBT people: a qualitative study. Sociology of Health and Illness, 39(8), pp. 1465-1479. (doi: 10.1111/1467-9566.12605) (PMID:28833252)

Abstract

Research suggests that alcohol use and misuse are higher among lesbian, gay and bisexual than heterosexual populations, yet the social context of drinking in sexual minority communities has rarely been examined. To explore lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people's relationship with alcohol, we conducted seven focus groups (N = 33) with pre-existing groups of friends and work colleagues (18 to 52 years) in Scotland, UK. We identified and analysed patterns in our data using thematic analysis. Respondents perceived heavy drinking as central to the commercial gay scene. Choice of drink and drinking vessel was an important part of identity construction. Respondents discussed the perception that gay men would drink alcopops and cocktails while lesbians would drink pints of beer. Even when stereotypes were dismissed as inaccurate, they were still thought to pressure people to drink ‘appropriately’. Respondents who did not identify as male or female, and those who used drag, were particularly aware of their choice of drink as a means to express identity or to challenge people's preconceptions about gender. Researchers developing interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm in sexual minority populations need to take account of the central role of identity construction in LGBT drinking practices.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lennox, Ms Jemma
• Authors: Emslie, C., Lennox, J., and Ireland, L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Sociology of Health and Illness
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0141-9889
• ISSN (Online): 1467-9566
• Published Online: 19 August 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness
• First Published: First published in Sociology of Health and Illness 39(8): 1465-1479
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy