Sexuality, substance use and the scene: An analysis of “post-gay” in same-sex attracted young adults in Sydney, Australia Toby Lea A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy National Centre in HIV Social Research The University of New South Wales November 2011 PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: LEA First name: TOBY Other name/s: Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: PhD School: National Centre in HIV Social Research Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences Title: Sexuality, substance use and the scene: An analysis of “post-gay” in same-sex attracted young adults in Sydney, Australia Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) Improved social attitudes towards homosexuality have led some theorists to claim that Western societies are transitioning to a “post-gay” era, where same-sex attracted people no longer need to build an identity around sexual orientation and the lesbian and gay “scene” of bars and nightclubs. In a post-gay era, same-sex attracted people are thought to experience reduced minority stress about their sexuality. This thesis aimed to explore whether post-gay is applicable to same-sex attracted young adults’ experiences with sexual identity, the scene, and substance use. The study was a cross-sectional, online survey of 572 same-sex attracted young adults aged 18 to 25 years in Sydney. While most respondents had low levels of internalised homophobia, half had high perceptions of social stigma towards sexual minorities. In the preceding 12 months, half of respondents had experienced homophobic abuse. Forty percent of respondents had high levels of current psychological distress and 19% had thought about suicide in the preceding month. Internalised homophobia and perceived stigma were significantly associated with psychological distress and suicidal thoughts. While young men attended scene venues with similar frequency as other licensed venues, young women attended scene venues less frequently than other venues. Being around other same-sex attracted people and displaying same-sex intimacy without worrying were the most important factors encouraging scene attendance. In addition, respondents who had experienced homophobic abuse were more likely to rate the scene as important. In the preceding month, 78% of respondents had consumed alcohol and 34% had used illicit drugs. Homophobic physical abuse was marginally associated with recent drug use. Other minority stressors were not associated with substance use. Recent drug use and risky drinking were associated with attendance at both scene and other venues. However, drugs were more commonly used in scene venues than other venues. The persistence of negative social attitudes and homophobic abuse suggest that the transition to post-gay is progressing more unevenly than some theorists envisaged. Sexual identity and the scene continue to play an important role in the lives of many same-sex attracted young people in Sydney. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). …………………………………………..… …………………………………...……… ………09/03/2011……..…. Signature Witness Date The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award: THIS SHEET IS TO BE GLUED TO THE INSIDE FRONT COVER OF THE THESIS COPYRIGHT STATEMENT I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation. Signed …………………………………………………. Date ……………09/03/2012….……………….............. AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format. Signed …………………………………………………. Date ……………09/03/2012….……………….............. ORIGINALITY STATEMENT I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged. Signed …………………………………………………. Date ……………09/03/2012….……………….............. i ABSTRACT Improved social attitudes towards homosexuality have led some theorists to claim that Western societies are transitioning to a “post-gay” era, where same-sex attracted people no longer need to build an identity around sexual orientation and the lesbian and gay “scene” of bars and nightclubs. In a post-gay era, same-sex attracted people are thought to experience reduced minority stress about their sexuality. This thesis aimed to explore whether post-gay is applicable to same-sex attracted young adults’ experiences with sexual identity, the scene, and substance use. The study was a cross-sectional, online survey of 572 same-sex attracted young adults aged 18 to 25 years in Sydney. While most respondents had low levels of internalised homophobia, half had high perceptions of social stigma towards sexual minorities. In the preceding 12 months, half of respondents had experienced homophobic abuse. Forty percent of respondents had high levels of current psychological distress and 19% had thought about suicide in the preceding month. Internalised homophobia and perceived stigma were significantly associated with psychological distress and suicidal thoughts. While young men attended scene venues with similar frequency as other licensed venues, young women attended scene venues less frequently than other venues. Being around other same-sex attracted people and displaying same-sex intimacy without worrying were the most important factors encouraging scene attendance. In addition, respondents who had experienced homophobic abuse were more likely to rate the scene as important. In the preceding month, 78% of respondents had consumed alcohol and 34% had used illicit drugs. Homophobic physical abuse was marginally associated with recent drug use. Other minority stressors were not associated with substance use. Recent drug use and risky drinking were associated with attendance at both scene and other venues. However, drugs were more commonly used in scene venues than other venues. ii The persistence of negative social attitudes and homophobic abuse suggest that the transition to post-gay is progressing more unevenly than some theorists envisaged. Sexual identity and the scene continue to play an important role in the lives of many same-sex attracted young people in Sydney. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost I would like to thank my supervisors, Associate Professor Robert Reynolds and Professor John de Wit. They have both been very supportive, attentive and generous with their time over the past four years, and have provided invaluable guidance and enthusiasm about my project. It has been a pleasure to work closely with Robert and John, and I am grateful to have had them as supervisors. Many thanks also to Dr Limin Mao, who co-supervised the first 12 months of my candidature before going on maternity leave. Limin was a great support while she was my supervisor, and since then has continued to take an interest in my progress and plans for life after the PhD. Thanks to Mira Branezac from the NSW Drug & Alcohol Health Services Library for her assistance with some of the more obscure literature searches. Also thanks to Carly Player for taking photographs for the recruitment flyers and to Joe Byrne, Hayley Cox and Kim Hill for being such wonderful models! Many thanks also to all the people who took the time to participate in this research, and to those who helped by distributing information about the study. Finally, this thesis would have been a far more difficult task without the support of my family and friends. Mum and Dad (Carol and Bob) have been very generous over the past few years, providing emotional support, money at difficult times, and a place to come and stay when I needed time out from Sydney.