The rate of substance use amongst LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) and MSM communities around the world is reported to be significantly higher than in other groups.
This is believed to be in large part fuelled by the impact of stigma and discrimination faced by these communities. These factors can lead to internalised homophobia and an unconscious sense of shame and anxiety.
Substance use can also affect judgment, lessen inhibitions, and make users more likely to engage in high-risk sex and behaviours associated with HIV and other STIs.
That’s why OUT’s Engage Men’s Health (EMH) project has launched the Highs & Lows campaign to better enable gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) to reduce their risk around