Chemsex intersects with unique challenges and experiences for people of colour, shaped by many complex factors. For people of colour who participate in chemsex, issues like stigma, discrimination, and limited access to culturally competent healthcare can intensify vulnerabilities. These issues act as a catalyst for someone to then experience isolation and loneliness. As a result, issues including ones related to mental health, sexual health and substance use may arise due to the intersectional issues within marginalised communities.

 

In addition, experiences of racism, both within broader society and within LGBTQ+ spaces, can compound feelings of isolation for people of color, creating additional barriers to seeking support. For people engaging in chemsex, these compounded stressors of both racial discrimination and homophobia can intensify experiences of stigma and trauma. 

 

This unique combination of minority stress can further isolate people of color, making it more challenging to access care, build supportive networks, or engage in healthier coping mechanisms.

 

QTIPOCs face both external stigma and internalised cultural pressures that affect their access to information and support. For some, cultural expectations or familial pressures discourage open conversations about sexuality or drug use, creating a need for resources that are non-judgmental and inclusive. Racism and fetishisation within the chemsex scene can have harmful effects, leading to individuals experiencing tokenisation and hypersexualisation. 

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Tokenisation refers to being included or acknowledged solely to represent a particular racial or sexual minority, often without genuine inclusion or recognition of individuality. Hypersexualisation involves reducing a person to a stereotype, viewing them primarily through a sexual lens based on their race or identity. These dynamics contribute to harmful stereotypes and objectification, reinforcing negative and limiting perceptions of people within the scene.

 

Creating culturally competent support spaces that acknowledge and address these unique challenges is vital. It’s essential for services providing support within the chemsex scene to recognise these dynamics and actively work towards promoting respectful, affirming environments. By doing so, they can help mitigate the harmful effects of negative experiences based on people’s race or ethnicity. Creating such environments fosters a community and representation where people feel seen and this can have a major impact on people’s motivation to create change.

 

Organisations working with people involved in chemsex can help by training staff in cultural sensitivity, offering multilingual resources, and facilitating support groups specifically for people of colour. Access to inclusive healthcare providers who understand the intersecting pressures of race, sexuality, and substance use is crucial for providing comprehensive and compassionate care.​

 

* It is important to note that we use the term QTIPOC/People of Colour throughout this article as opposed to BIPOC, BAME etc.. to provide continuity with one term. Whilst we acknowledge some may feel it not representative of their community.