Pride Month: Resources and Reflections
“Self-definition and self-determination is about the many varied decisions that we make to compose and journey toward ourselves, about the audacity and strength to proclaim, create, and evolve into who we know ourselves to be. It’s okay if your personal definition is in a constant state of flux as you navigate the world.”
― Janet Mock, Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More
With June being Pride month, it is an important time to reflect on and celebrate the people and communities who have fought for LGBTQ rights and to evaluate where there is still work to be done.
Pride month is a time to educate ourselves and our communities on the history of LGBTQ people as well as the current efforts being made to advance the fight for equal treatment and support.
It is our duty to educate ourselves on LGBTQ history and present issues. This interview with LaVerne Cox, a popular transgender actress, is a nice place to start your journey. It is also crucial that we educate young people on the same topics. Parents and families (however they are defined) are vital in promoting the self esteem and resilience of LGBTQ youth. Talking about the history of Pride with our children is a great way to encourage conversation and education. Also, highlighting stories of young people coming out of the closet and navigating sexual orientation and attraction is crucial in reducing stigma and encouraging open mindedness and support.
Connection and community building are powerful and supportive forces for LGBTQ folks. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased feelings of isolation and loneliness for all people and we have turned to virtual connections as a substitute for in-person gathering. LGBTQ Teen and young adult organizations such as TrevorSpace (13-24yo) and QChatSpace (13-19yo) are great online chat and forum platforms monitored and run by professionals who work with LGBTQ teens. Even as restrictions are released and we all can meet up in-person, having a community that’s just a click away will continue to be a great resource to access.
Pride month is also a moment in which we as a mental health community can evaluate and promote the work that is being done to provide inclusive and accessible services for LGBTQ people at a local and national level. LGBTQ people are at higher risk for suicidal thoughts and attempts. LGBTQ adults have a two-fold excess risk of suicide attempts compared to other adults. Among transgender adults, the lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts is 40%. For youth, studies suggest that the reported rates of suicide attempts for high school students who identify as LGBT are two to seven times higher than rates among high school students who describe themselves as heterosexual. LGBT youth are also twice as likely to have thoughts about suicide. Disproportionate violence against Black trans women has also been highlighted in the news recently; if you’d like to support efforts to support and liberate Black trans individuals, you might consider making a donation here.
Knowing that you are not alone and that there is always someone to talk to is a lifeline for many LGBTQ youth, adults and their families.
Below is a list of hotlines to call or encourage someone else to access in a time of need:
LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Hotline
Further, the following organizations are incredible resources at a local and state level to access and share widely:
Youth-oriented organizations:
Ozone House: Shelter and support for homeless youth, runaways (Ann Arbor)
Neutral Zone (Ann Arbor)
Ruth Ellis Center (Detroit)
LGBTQ centers:
Jim Toy Community Center (Ann Arbor)
Spectrum Center (Ann Arbor)
Affirmations (Detroit/Ferndale)
LGBT Detroit (Detroit)
Transgender Michigan (Statewide)
Mental Health and Medical Services:
CAPS @ UofM - Gender Affirming Services (Ann Arbor)
Transgender Services @ Michigan Medicine (Ann Arbor)
The Corner Health Center (Ypsilanti - 12-25 year olds)
Mindfulness and Meditation:
Grove strives to be a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals. From all of us at Grove, please know this: you have worth just as you are. This Pride month, we wish for each of us to more fully embrace ourselves and increase our awareness of how we can contribute to a safer, more inclusive society for LGBTQIA+ individuals.