The purpose of Pride Festivals the world over is to celebrate the difficulties that LGBTQIA+ people have endured over the millennia. They are a way of protecting Trans youth, exploring sexuality, acknowledging the trauma of being a queer person, forming and re-forming community. Pride Festivals honor the LGBTQIA+ people that have paved the way for more freedoms for queer people (Although sadly, in the United States there are still many people who want to deny and remove basic human rights for LGBTQIA+ people). Pride festivals are meant to be an expression of love and compassion for all humanity. Pride honors the many straight allies that have helped secure queer freedom across the world.
(Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash)
It is well documented that trans, queer, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and non-binary youth face oppression and marginalization. These youth also have a higher suicide rate, they have greater anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks and many other mental health problems than those of their straight counterparts.
It is well documented that trans, queer, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and non-binary youth face oppression and marginalization. These youth also have a higher suicide rate, they have greater anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks and many other mental health problems than those of their straight counterparts (Cottrell et al., 2022; Gorzkowski et al., 2023).
(Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash)
If you are a queer person that has suffered emotional, religious or spiritual trauma because of who you are please know that there are resources for you. Call the National Crisis Hotline at 988. Speak to a trusted person. Find a religious organization that honors and respects queer people. Work through the relational, physical, sexual, and identity trauma. Find a queer supportive therapist.
Remember that all humans, including LGBTQIA+ people have innate beauty, worth, and dignity. Find and hold onto your dignity, worth, and beauty.
(Photo by James A. Molnar on Unsplash)
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS FEELING SUICIDAL AND WANTS TO DO SELF-HARM, ACT NOW AND USE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES:
Call 911 or 988
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
www.sprc.org/populations/lgbt
1-800-273-TALK (8255) Online chat feature also available
Colorado Crisis Services
https://coloradocrisisservices.org/
1-844-493-8255, Text “TALK” to 38255
Crisis Text Line
www.crisistextline.org/
Text “HOME” to 741741
Trans Lifeline
https://translifeline.org/
1-877-565-8860
The Trevor Project
www.thetrevorproject.org/
1-866-488-7386 (Online chat feature also available)
It Gets Better Project
https://itgetsbetter.org/
(Includes a searchable database by country, state, and zip code, and referral to crisis and mental health resources)
GLBT National Hotline
https://www.glbthotline.org/national-hotline.html
1-888-843-4564
R. David Johns has a PhD in Counseling Education and Supervision, and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in the state of Colorado. As a gay-identified counselor and therapist, he uses trauma informed practices, such as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness to discover each client’s unique way towards healing. For an appointment call 303-642-6636 or email at [email protected]
References
Cottrell, D., Gonzalez, J., Atchison P., Evans, S. & Stokes, A. (2022). Suicide risk and prevention in LGBTQ+ youth. Nursing, 52 (2), 40-45. doi:
10.1097/01.NURSE.0000803432.31284.34.
Gorzkowski Hamilton, J. , Horowitz, L. , Standley, C. , Ryan, P. , Wei, A. , Lau, M. & Yu Moutier, C. (2023). Developing the Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention.
Journal of the Public Health Management and Practice, 29 (5), E214-E222. doi:
10.1097-PHH.0000000000001764.
