While headlines hail a national shift away from alcohol it appears one group is being left out of the picture. New figures show 70 per cent of the Queer community engage in binge drinking with LGBTQ+ adults more prone to high-risk alcohol
consumption than the general population.
The complex history of homophobia has meant visits to bars and clubs have been essential for Queer people who want to socialise safely. But in 2025, why is the community still being driven toward places where alcohol runs the show?
“It’s a shame. These spaces can be a hotbed for addiction,” Leeds Drag queen Mattress says.
Queer people often turn to drink as a coping mechanism for the stresses they face from society and pillars in the community say alcohol-free spaces are needed now more than ever.
Options for a welcoming space that doesn’t centre around alcohol are emerging. One Londoner, sober for 13 years, has established Club Soda and Queers without Beers after losing her own father to alcoholism.
Another, Neil Hudson-Basing, wishes his peers knew how “fun and how crazy life can be” without alcohol. He set up a House of Happiness for those who want to party without the hangover the next day.
But those offering tailored support are still struggling to connect with the community. “Some of the people who access the service access it while closeted. They’re scared of revealing their status,” one outreach team leader says.
Brewing companies, meanwhile, stand accused of marketing their drinks towards the gay community for events such as Pride while ignoring the dangers.
Now experts are considering if the term alcoholism even encompasses the reality of a life ruled by drink.
Shannon Murray is just one of the researchers saying there’s a significant gap in our understanding of substance use among the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ communities in the UK.
On the Sheffield Wire’s Under the Influence: Queer Lives and Alcohol campaign, we hear from specialists, venue owners, recovered alcoholics and everyone in between to investigate and raise awareness of issues surrounding alcoholism in the LGBTQ+ community.
