Pride Month: Support Through Education

by- Trinity Turner

More than half of LGBTQ Americans report hiding a personal relationship to avoid the experience of discrimination (Gruberg, 2020). No member of the LGBTQ+ community is a stranger to having to hide a personal relationship or pretending to be in a heterosexual relationship. Many LGBTQ+ individuals act heterosexual due to fear of discrimination or lack of support from their family (Gruberg, 2020). These actions could result in the decline of mental health among the LGBTQ+ community and may result in suicide for many LGBTQ+ individuals.

More than one in three LGBTQ Americans faced discrimination of some kind in the past year (Gruberg, 2020). LGBTQ+ Individuals will likely face hate crimes or discrimination more than heterosexual individuals due to their sexuality or gender (Gruberg, 2020). This can cause the decline of mental health and loss of lives of LGBTQ+ Americans. The most common type of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals is vocal discrimination by religious protesters or individuals disagreeing with the person’s sexual orientation (citation here). LGBTQ+ youth are the most affected by discrimination and hate while they progress through school due to lack of support or assistance when hate occurs (citation here).

Around three in ten LGBTQ Americans faced difficulties last year accessing necessary medical care due to cost issues (Gruberg, 2020). LGBTQ+ Americans may face higher costs in health care because of discrimination by doctors or hospitals regarding sexual orientation or gender. This causes a decline in the amount of LGBTQ+ individuals that stay healthy throughout their lives with some cases where the outcome becomes deadly. The lack of health care for any LGBTQ+ individual can come with downsides, such as increasing dysphoria or harmful thoughts. Furthermore, this could affect the mental health of these individuals because the lack of medical care and the emotional trials is abuse in its purest form.

LGBTQ+ Allies can support the community and individuals involved by standing up and defending LGBTQ+ people when hate or discrimination occurs. This could also involve leading an LGBTQ+ person away from a dangerous or hateful situation. Allies could also become more educated in the different genders and sexualities to reduce any issues in the future regarding misgendering or confusing someone’s sexuality. Allies becoming more aware and open about the LGBTQ+ individuals around them has the biggest impact on progressing the LGBTQ+ community.

There are many ways an ally can assist the LGBTQ+ community, from advocating for the increase in rights to getting more education. Allies could advocate for rights of the LGBTQ+ community and provide more assistance in ensuring legal rights are in place depending on which state and community they reside in. This would include voting in local elections, or holding rallies for the LGBTQ+ community to gain awareness of legal statutes in their local community. Allies could attend pride festivals and be a part of the celebration that provides support and enjoyment for the community. The biggest change that would impact the community in a good way would be the increase in knowledge among allies and the LGBTQ+ individuals.

We at ARO are here to support you in your personal healing journey to complete well-being. We bring awareness and education to 13 different types of abuse including Narcissistic, Sexual, Physical, Psychological, Financial, Child, Self, Cyberbullying, Bullying, Spousal, Elderly, Isolation and Workplace, and help others heal and find peace. Please support our efforts by going to GoARO.org to learn how you can make an impact on the Abuse Care Community.

Resources

Gruberg, S. (2022, May 11). The state of the LGBTQ community in 2020. Center for American Progress.