Out gay rugby legend launches campaign to raise awareness for dangers of chemsex
Gareth Thomas (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
Gareth Thomas, a former Wales captain and one of the first openly gay professional rugby players, has launched a new campaign with LGBTQ+ non-profit You Are Loved and Grindr to raise awareness of the dangers of chemsex and drug misuse in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Speaking of the campaign, he said: “For too long, people have hidden their struggles for fear of being judged, and that silence fuels a negative cycle of shame and harm
“No one should feel ashamed to speak out or ask for help. If we start having more open conversations then the stigma starts to break down and ultimately, we can not only change lives but save them.”
The campaign aims to shed light on chemsex – the use of drugs to enhance sex – and the serious risks it can carry, including overdose, HIV transmission and declining mental health.
It also highlights how widespread the issue is, with research collected via Grindr finding more than a quarter of users (28 per cent) have had sex while using drugs, and one in five LGBTQ+ respondents (19 per cent) reporting they’ve lost someone to a drug-related death.
The campaign, Grindr for Equality Presents: Out in the Open with You Are Loved, will also feature the likes of Paris Lees and Kaiden Ford, each talking about their experiences.
Mohan Sundararaj, Managing Director of Grindr for Equality, said: “We know platforms can be a powerful force for good, but only when it’s paired with access to the right information, tools, and support.
“We reach millions of LGBTQ+ people every day, and that comes with a clear opportunity: to challenge stigma by opening up conversations and connecting people to support that is accessible and judgment-free. By closing the gap between awareness and action, we can help people make safer, more informed choices about their health.”
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