How Pride Month Impacts LGBTQ+ Mental Health
Table of content:
Introduction
As a lesbian, I can personally say that Pride Month is a highlight of my year. This will be my seventh pride month spent out of the closet, and I am thrilled and blessed to celebrate my identity openly and proudly. While I represent this part of my identity every day, doing so during Pride Month offers a special sensation of hope, joy, and love. Since 1999, the United States has recognized June as Pride Month, and it is often marked by Pride Parades, queer events, and vibrant rainbow decor. In this discussion, we will explore how Pride Month impacts queer mental health, both positively and negatively, and offer ideas for celebrating your identity throughout the month in a way that feels comfortable and safe.
Understanding LGBTQ+ Mental Health
There is a high prevalence of mental health challenges experienced within the LGBTQ+ community. In 2022, the Trevor Project found that 73% of LGBTQ+ youth reported anxiety symptoms and 58% reported depression symptoms. Compared with data from the same study conducted in 2020, LGBTQ+ individuals are increasingly likely to report anxiety symptoms (increasing from 68% of respondents in 2020 to 73% of respondents in 2022), depression symptoms (rising from 55% of respondents in 2020 to 58% of respondents in 2022), and suicidal ideation (increasing from 40% of respondents in 2020 to 45% of respondents in 2022). There are several variables that likely impact the mental health of LGBTQ+ people, including the impacts of discrimination, feeling othered from peers or loved ones, lack of familial and/or social acceptance, and struggles with internalized homophobia. It is important to recognize that the Trevor Project’s research also indicates that queer youth who feel supported by loved ones are less likely to attempt suicide.
The Role of Pride Month
History and Significance of Pride Month
The concept of Pride Month began with the Stonewall Riots in June 1969. At the time, it was common for police officers to raid LGBTQ+ bars; however, this was the first time large amounts of queer people fought back against this mistreatment—queer heroes such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera used this moment to pave the way for greater pride surrounding queer identities by engaging in resistance tactics against oppressive individuals. Both individuals were trans women of color who emphasized a need to celebrate freedom for all queer people. Now, every year, Pride Parades are intended to honor these individuals’ bravery through the celebration of queerness.
Celebration of Identity and Visibility
Pride Month fosters a sense of belonging and community. There is incredible value in entering a queer event while feeling safe, recognized, and celebrated. This kind of visibility can actively fight the discrimination and lack of acceptance that causes mental health issues in the queer community, underscoring the importance of holding space for openness surrounding Pride Month festivities.
Positive Impacts of Pride Month on Mental Health
Sense of Community and Support
The opportunity to connect with other queer people is a very significant way to protect one’s mental and emotional health. It can be very helpful to find connections with other queer people through celebratory events. Many local queer communities host special events during this time as a way to provide community connection. These events might include Pride Parades, Drag Shows, or other volunteer opportunities. If you’re looking to find more involvement with the queer community this June, it may be helpful to check in with your nearest LGBT+ Center.
Validation and Acceptance
When I first came out, my parents purchased me a pair of rainbow shoes and a Pride t-shirt. It was sitting on my bed come June 1st. The gesture so touched me because it showed that my parents wanted to demonstrate their love and acceptance. They did not want to hide my queerness, which means everything to me—then and now. This symbol of externalized acceptance was deeply heartwarming and caring. These kinds of pride-themed clothing options tend to be much more widely available during June than in any other month. If you have a queer person in your life, they may appreciate some kind of similar token of your appreciation for them.
Challenges and Limitations
Commercialization and Superficial Support
On that same note, many LGBTQ+ people do not enjoy the increase in rainbow-printed items during the month of June. You may have heard this referred to as “rainbow capitalism.” There is a difference between a company throwing a rainbow on its logo and a company that makes a true effort to include queer people in their marketing year-round. The use of rainbows to sell things can make queer people feel devalued because it is often meant to be a way to perform inclusion with no actual follow-through.
Safety and Inclusivity Issues
Unfortunately, Pride celebrations are not always as inclusive as they should be. Many people do not feel included in these festivities, including trans people, queer people of color, people with physical disabilities, and queer people in relationships that do not seem to be queer (i.e. a trans man who is partnered with a trans woman, or a bisexual man partnered with a heterosexual woman). For these people, the lack of inclusivity may make Pride Month feel draining, rather than celebratory. If you’re participating in Pride Month activities, it is important to help ensure that the space is safe for all queer people. In order to do so, talk with organizers about promoting inclusivity in your space and ensuring that people can show up as their full, authentic selves.
Strategies for Maximizing Positive Impact
Cultivating Community
In order to foster true inclusivity, it is important to maintain an accessible and welcoming attitude towards all queer people. There should be specialized support for marginalized groups within the community, including transgender people, people of color, people who need accessibility accommodations (i.e. sign language interpreters, ramps for people using wheelchairs, etc.), and queer women. Some ways to offer specific support could include creating events that are specifically tailored to these groups in order to help them find community, safety, and connection with other people who understand and share their struggles.
Ongoing Support Beyond Pride Month
Additionally, true allyship must extend beyond the month of June. It is more meaningful when queer inclusion is a priority throughout the year because that is how true change is made for LGBTQ+ people. Organizations can show this through year-round advocacy for LGBTQ+ people, specific resources to help queer people feel seen and heard within the organization, and ongoing education surrounding queer identities and current events impacting the queer community’s well-being.
Personal Coping Strategies
On an individual level, one can prioritize their well-being during Pride Month by engaging in self-care practices, including journaling about queer identity, engaging in crafts, setting boundaries with loved ones who are not as accepting, and seeking professional help as needed. Pride Month has a lot of wonderful impacts, but it can also be draining and isolating if you’re still finding ways to become comfortable and confident within your queerness. You deserve to celebrate yourself in a way that matches your current mental space. It is okay if celebrating Pride Month looks like learning more about yourself—your pride does not need to be externalized to exist. If you need to use this time to find comfort and security within yourself, that’s a wonderful thing to try out!
Conclusion
Pride Month is intended to be a cause for celebration for LGBTQ+ people. There is often more room to seek out community during June, leading to higher levels of validation and acceptance. However, at the same time, the month can be discouraging for those who are marginalized within the queer community. If you have a sense that Pride Month may be a difficult time for you, reach out to Trust Mental Health. Our queer-inclusive therapists are here to support you, and you are guaranteed to hear from a trained mental health professional within 48 hours. We want to ensure you get the support you deserve in a timely manner.
Key Points
Celebration and Challenges: Pride Month is a time of joy and community for many LGBTQ+ individuals, offering validation and a sense of belonging, but it also presents challenges such as commercialization and lack of inclusivity.
Mental Health Support: Connecting with supportive communities and affirming one’s identity during Pride Month can significantly improve mental health, while ongoing support and inclusivity efforts are crucial for sustained well-being.
Personal and Collective Efforts: Both individual self-care practices and collective efforts to create inclusive, safe spaces are essential for maximizing the positive impacts of Pride Month and supporting LGBTQ+ mental health throughout the year.
FAQs
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Allies can play a crucial role by ; learning about LGBTQ+ issues and mental health challenges, offering a supportive and non-judgmental ear to LGBTQ+ friends and loved ones, challenging discriminatory remarks and behaviors in their communities, and encouraging workplaces, schools, and other environments to be inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ+ people.
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Supportive environments can significantly enhance mental well-being by affirming one’s identity to reduce internalized homophobia and increase self-esteem, building supportive communities to combate social isolation and promote a sense of belonging, and providing access to LGBTQ+-friendly mental health services and resources to support their unique experience.
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LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse, compared to heterosexual, cisgender counterparts.