By: Madeleine Skinner- June 28th, 2022
As we come to the end of June, we come to the end of pride month! Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June, to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, and concerts and LGBTQ+ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world.
While pride month is indeed a time of great celebration, and a time to see how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, it is important to also remember the history of marginalization. Queer history is not just parades and parties, like the ones we see in pride month. Throughout US history people who were romantic with the same sex went to jail because it was illegal. They were kicked out of parks and restaurants. Marriages were not an option for LGBTQ+ communities.
However, as time has gone by many individuals from the LGBTQ+ community have stood up and fought for equal opportunities. As Pride month celebrations come to an end, let’s take a few moments to learn more about the history of LGBTQ+ rights, what Pride is, and how to take care of the mental health of loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community.
Here are some suggestions on what you can do to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ loved ones and community members:
Respect Their Identity
We can all take simple steps to respect the identity of LGBTQ+ people by affirming how they choose to live and using their chosen gender pronouns
Learn About the Early Signs of Mental Illness
Mental illness is complicated and difficult to understand, but knowledge and insight helps us to be supportive.
Create and Teach Awareness
Be supportive publicly, by addressing anti-LGBTQ+ language and actions when you hear or see them. Support organizations and policies benefiting the LGBTQ+ community.
Support Them in Accessing Mental Health Resources
Find information and resources from The Trevor Project.
Listen, Be Compassionate and Supportive
In many places, the LGBTQ+ community still faces a lot stigma, violence and discrimination. There is a lot to do in our parliaments, and on our streets. But, there is also lots of hope! Many positive changes around the world seem to be leading us in the right direction. These changes have been possible because of the masses supporting each other, working together to change laws or raise awareness. Activists and parliamentarians, academics and allies, all of us have a role to promote change in order to achieve peace and equality.
To learn more about gay rights or support the community:
https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/history-of-gay-rights
Source: https://namica.org/blog/what-you-can-do-to-support-the-mental-health-of-lgbtq-loved-ones/
