Monday, 29th April 2019
Trade is hosting an informal evening for you to find out the ins and outs of gay and bisexual men having sex whilst under the influence of drugs, also know as chemsex.
Although having sex whilst taking drugs is not something that affects gay and bisexual alone, there are some unique issues about chemsex in particular that can play a massive part in the experience of gay and bisexual men, hence why the term chemsex has been coined when speaking about these communities.
Public Health England and Sigma Research (see presentation and research summary) have all found prevalent usage of chemsex drugs (cocaine, ecstasy, mephedrone, GHB/GBL and crystal meth) amongst gay and bisexual men across the UK, both who are HIV-negative and HIV-positive men, with higher rates of usage amongst the latter. At first, this was seen as issues that was only affecting gay and bisexual men within large cities across the world including New York and London, however, the culture of chemsex is now starting to spread across the UK into smaller town and cities, like right here in Leicester.
Chemsex is more than just sex and drugs. It's about the barriers people face with sexuality, intimacy, deeper connection, everyday struggles, negotiation of consensual sex and more. This is something that we here at Trade acknowledge and want to help address and hope this first event can be the start of opening up dialogue around these issues and accessing support where necessary.
If for you or for a friend, we hope to see you on Monday 13 May at our event.
Click here to check-in as going on our Facebook event to get yourself a reminder (hidden guestlist).
Date: Monday 13 May 2019
Time: 6:00-7:00pm
Location: Trade Sexual Health (map)
Trade Sexual Health, gay and ally researchers (Iain and Amanda) from De Montfort University are carrying out research to see what gay, bi and men who have sex with men (MSM) from Leicester and Leicestershire think about Chemsex. See details below.
