Lesbians, Beer, And Cans: Exploring Beverage Preferences

Lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women have been found to consume alcohol at a higher rate than heterosexual women. This has often been attributed to 'minority stress', but there are other factors at play. For LBQ women, drinking is gendered, enabling both performance of and resistance to gendered norms. Alcohol can also be a tool for navigating gendered vulnerability in public spaces, with some women tailoring their alcohol intake to their environment.

Lesbians and bisexual women tend to drink more alcohol than straight women

Lesbian and bisexual women tend to drink more alcohol than straight women, but they are not more likely to be alcoholics. A study carried out by PACE, Britain's leading LGBT mental health organisation, found that 31.9% of heterosexual women engage in problematic drinking, compared to 37.1% of lesbians and bisexual women. However, levels of alcohol addiction are almost identical: 4% for straight women and 4.5% for LGB women, which is within the margin of error.

There are some significant differences in behaviour, for example, in terms of frequency of drinking. Lesbians and bisexuals get drunk in higher proportions more often, whether it is daily, twice a week, once a week, two or three times a month, once a month, or once a year. Straight women are also significantly more likely never to get drunk.

Younger lesbians and bisexuals are more likely to have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, as are those with religious beliefs or lower levels of general well-being. Interestingly, LGB women living in a small town or suburb were less likely to have a drink problem than those in big cities.

For those that did drink excessively, the problem of dealing with homophobia from a young age featured frequently. One participant in the study, "Simone", said:

> The additional pressure of growing up and knowing that being gay was not considered to be a good thing may have intensified that: the need to push down difficult stuff.

Another participant, "Yvonne", said:

> I felt at the time my mother was alive I'd broken her spirit and her hope for me as a young woman because there was a lot of peer pressure surrounding me getting married and having grandkids – the white wedding. So when I did come out there was the disappointment: I'd let my parents down and having to deal with their excuses of why I might be a lesbian. It's upsetting – [the] guilt and [feeling] I didn't live up to their expectations, so drink blanked all that out. I can deal with it as long as I've got a drink.

Participants in the research also cited the drinking culture on the lesbian and gay scene as an important factor in their heavy drinking. "Claire" said:

> British culture and attitude to alcohol [is unhelpful]. It's encouraged. The media encourage it, it's everywhere. It's how we socialise. The gay scene is awful for it. There are pills everywhere. Women especially are heavy drinkers. It's perfectly normal to drink pints in a gay club and it certainly wasn't when I went to heterosexual clubs. But I could easily order pints and nobody would give me a second look in a gay club, whereas heterosexuals had to look dainty and have half a lager. But it was a big drinking culture on the gay scene so that was my experience of it. So you can blend in and not stand out too much as well on that scene and it suited me.

The CEO of PACE, Margaret Unwin, told BuzzFeed:

> Problematic drinking among lesbian and bisexual women is often associated with prevailing heterosexism, such as difficulties within families, anxiety about coming out and fear of or actual negative responses when accessing services... [These] can partly explain why LGB women may have problematic drinking patterns.

A study of Southern Californian lesbians found that more frequent lesbian bar attendance was associated with elevated perceptions of how much other lesbians drink. The study also found that greater than 90% of participants expressed interest in receiving personalised normative feedback, suggesting that culturally tailored interventions focused on correcting perceptions of heavy drinking may be successful in mitigating the alcohol-related risks of lesbians.

Lesbians' drinking habits are influenced by gender and sexual expression

Lesbian drinking habits are influenced by a variety of factors, including gender expression, social norms, and the need to navigate gendered vulnerabilities in public spaces. On average, lesbians consume alcohol at a higher rate than heterosexual women, and their drinking habits are shaped by both performance of and resistance to gender norms.

Lesbians' drinking habits can be influenced by their gender expression. For example, lesbians who present as more masculine or "butch" may be more likely to drink beer, which is typically seen as a "masculine" drink. This can be a way for them to express their gender identity and challenge traditional gender norms. On the other hand, lesbians who present as more feminine or "femme" may be more likely to drink cocktails, wine, or other alcoholic beverages that are seen as more "feminine".

Social norms and peer pressure also play a role in lesbians' drinking habits. Lesbians may feel pressure to conform to lesbian community norms, which can include heavy drinking. This is especially true in lesbian bars, which have historically been safe spaces for lesbians to gather and socialize. As a result, lesbians may overestimate how much their peers are drinking and increase their own alcohol consumption to fit in with what they perceive as the norm.

Additionally, alcohol can be a tool for lesbians to navigate gendered vulnerabilities and increase their confidence and sense of safety in public spaces. For example, a lesbian might order a beer instead of a cocktail to avoid unwanted attention or harassment in a bar or other public setting.

While minority stress is often cited as a key factor in explaining lesbians' high rates of alcohol consumption, the relationship between drinking, gender, and sexuality is complex and multifaceted. Approaches to lesbian health should recognize the diverse ways in which lesbians use alcohol to navigate their identities and social environments, rather than solely focusing on risk and vulnerability.

Lesbians' drinking habits are influenced by safety concerns in public spaces

Lesbian drinking habits are influenced by safety concerns in public spaces. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are more likely to drink alcohol and engage in heavy episodic use when compared with their heterosexual counterparts. This is particularly true for lesbians and bisexual women, who are more likely to be current drinkers than their heterosexual counterparts.

Historically, lesbian bars were established as places of refuge from a highly prejudiced society, and were the only places that lesbians could feel safe to gather and socialize. Although social climates have improved over the years, alcohol-serving establishments have remained a centerpiece of most lesbian communities. Lesbian bars as the focal point of lesbian communities may not only contribute to the communication of actual alcohol use norms but also exaggerate perceptions of how much and how often other lesbians drink. That is because lesbian bars remain the most visible and accessible physical spaces for lesbians to observe the behaviors of like-identified women as well as meet potential friends and lovers. The behavioral observations that occur in these alcohol-serving institutions may actually lead lesbian observers to overestimate descriptive drinking norms.

In addition, the additional stress related to being a sexual minority could contribute to elevated substance use. Meyer has proposed a minority stress model for understanding LGB experiences in the context of stressors unique to the LGB population; after a review of the literature, he concluded that higher prevalence of mental health disorders in the LGB population is caused at least partially by stigma-related social stressors.

Lesbians' drinking habits are influenced by social norms and socialising

Lesbian drinking habits are influenced by a variety of factors, including social norms and socialising. On average, lesbians consume alcohol at a higher rate than heterosexual women. This can be attributed to various reasons, such as social norms, minority stress, and the role of alcohol in public spaces.

Social norms play a significant role in shaping lesbian drinking habits. Lesbian bars, for example, have historically been safe spaces for lesbians to gather and socialise. As a result, alcohol-serving establishments have become a central part of lesbian communities. This structural characteristic may contribute to the communication of alcohol use norms within these communities. Lesbian bar attendees may observe the drinking behaviours of their peers and conform to these perceived norms, leading to higher alcohol consumption.

Minority stress is another factor that influences lesbian drinking habits. Lesbians may face stigma and discrimination, and alcohol can become a coping mechanism to deal with these stressors. Additionally, alcohol may enable lesbians to express their gender and sexuality more freely. It can provide a sense of confidence and pleasure, facilitating community connection and a sense of belonging.

The type of alcohol consumed by lesbians can also be influenced by social norms and socialising. For example, beer is often associated with masculinity, and lesbians who challenge gender norms may be more inclined to drink beer. However, individual preferences vary, and lesbians may drink a variety of alcoholic beverages, including vodka, wine, and cocktails.

Social media and online communities also play a role in shaping lesbian drinking habits. Online platforms provide spaces for lesbians to connect and share their experiences and preferences. This can include discussions about favourite alcoholic beverages, drinking habits, and recommendations for lesbian-friendly bars or establishments.

While social norms and socialising can influence lesbian drinking habits, it is important to note that individual preferences vary. Some lesbians may prefer beer, while others may prefer cocktails, wine, or non-alcoholic beverages. Ultimately, lesbian drinking habits are shaped by a complex interplay of social factors, personal preferences, and community influences.

Lesbians' drinking habits are influenced by minority stress

Lesbian drinking habits are influenced by minority stress, which can be understood through the lens of Sexual Minority Stress Theory. This theory posits that lesbians face unique stressors, such as discrimination, rejection from family, and internalized negative societal attitudes, which can contribute to increased alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism.

Research has shown that lesbians are more likely than heterosexual women to drink alcohol and engage in heavy alcohol use. This disparity may be attributed to the combined experiences of racism and homophobia faced by lesbians of colour. Lesbians of colour reported the highest prevalence of binge drinking, followed by White lesbians, then heterosexual women of colour, with White heterosexual women reporting the lowest prevalence. This suggests that the intersection of racial and sexual minority identities plays a significant role in drinking habits.

Lesbians may also be influenced by social norms within the lesbian community, which can act as a powerful psychological influence on drinking behaviour. The central position of the bar in lesbian communities, historically a place of refuge, may contribute to the perception that heavy drinking is a normative behaviour. As a result, lesbians may increase their alcohol consumption to conform to what they perceive as the lesbian community standard.

Additionally, lesbians may drink alcohol as a way to cope with various stressors in their lives, such as family rejection, trauma, and breakups. Alcohol is often framed as a way to manage stress and negative emotions, and its use can be further reinforced by social contexts that centre around alcohol consumption, such as bars and clubs.

Furthermore, minority stress may also influence the drinking contexts lesbians find themselves in. For example, lesbian bars can provide a sense of community and support, but they can also create pressure to drink and self-medicate. The small size of the lesbian community and the prevalence of alcohol-centric events can further contribute to lesbians' drinking habits.

In conclusion, lesbian drinking habits are influenced by minority stress, which encompasses various stressors and social norms unique to the lesbian community. This stress may lead to increased alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism and a sense of conformity to community norms. However, it is important to note that not all lesbians drink heavily, and individual preferences and experiences vary widely.

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