Gayze through the looking glass: The curious absence of queer narratives in psychedelia

Public acceptance of both the LGBTQ+ community and psychedelic medicines is growing, yet published accounts connecting queerness and psychedelic experiences remain scarce. This knowledge report reviews existing psychedelic literature alongside rising anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiments and legislation in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It argues that the current socio-political climate, which increasingly favors psychedelic medicine while attacking recently won civil rights, risks repeating mistakes from the first wave of psychedelic research. Including queer narratives in psychedelic research is essential for equitable, safe, effective, and accessible psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies and for protecting patients from sexual and gender-based violence.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Despite increasing public acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community and psychedelic medicines, published accounts of queer psychedelia are limited. Specifically, the queer nature of psychedelics and the parallels between narratives of being queer and of psychedelic experiences, are lacking. This report brings queer experiences of psychedelia out of the metaphorical closet and argues for the development of Queer Affirming models of Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (QA-PAP). Methods This knowledge report examines the extant psychedelic literature as it relates to queerness, and positions it against reports of rising anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiments, and legislation aimed at dismantling civil liberties. Results Specifically in Canada, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, the current socio-political climate fosters increasingly positive attitudes towards psychedelic medicine, while recently won 2SLGBTQ+ civil rights are under attack. The convergence of these trends means the psychedelic community must guard against repetition of mistakes made during the first wave of psychedelic research. Conclusions Including queer narratives within psychedelic research is integral to the equitable, safe, effective and accessible implementation of emerging modalities of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies (PAP), and to ensure that ethical standards protect patients from sexual and gender based violence.