Pride Month is Here!
During pride month I’m sure you will see lots of social media posts about LGBT community and those that support and are allies. This month is a remembrance and celebration of all the progress we as a people have been able to change and help move the rights of the LGBT community forward towards equality.
It also looks back on the history of the LGBT movement in America and also a time to reflect on those that have come before us to help provide the rights now available for all LGBT in the US. If you would like a brief and less serious version of the history of the LGBT communities progress, this short video explains it well.
Even after the progress that has been made to provide more rights to LGBT community there is still a stigma and cultural factors that still persist to see this community as negative. Many LGBT youth straggle with these decisions and can be impacted strongly if someone make negative comments about their own gender identity. Recently, we attended a conference on current research and techniques to support and help those in the LGBT community as therapists.
They shared a shocking statistic in one presentation. In LGBT youth, 82% of trans person have thought of committing suicide and 42% have attempted. In other research, LGBT people are at higher risk of mental disorder, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, and deliberate self harm than heterosexual people. (1. see footnote).
These are serious issues that youth are having to face on top of academic pressure, increased school shootings, and going through a pandemic where isolation was required. The good news about these statistics is that if even one person creates a safe and inclusive space for and LGBT youth, these rates drop by 50%.
The likelihood of them acting upon thoughts of self harm and suicide drop at such an alarming rate it seems so that you not hesitate to ally with an LGBT youth. As adults its our duty and responsibility to listen and provide acceptance for the youth going through these arduous issues, often alone. As therapists, we want you to know that your not alone and there is a networks of resources out there to help you.
We have taken some time to review a reflect on the list below to make sure that they are in fact helpful and supportive resources you can provide connection for anyone seeking out help. We hope that if your reading this you will see this list and know that someone took the time to think of you and know you are more than enough and it is okay to be gay.
We love the story of the next video and hope that it inspires you to reach out to someone you know if you need help.
LGBTQIA+ RESOURCES
NATIONAL HOTLINES
Anti- Violence Project Hotline – 24/7 hour bilingual hotline offering assistance for LGBTQ+ survivors of violence (212) 714-1141
LGBT National Hotline – Providing confidential peer-support, information, local resources and more calls of all ages. (888) 843-4564 Website
LGBT National Youth Talkline – Free and Confidential peer support for the LGBTQ and questioning community ages 25 and younger. (800) 246-7743 Website
LGBT National Senior Hotline – Providing senior callers, ages 50 and above confidential peer-support, information, local resources, and more. (888) 234-7243
Q Chat Space – A digital LGBTQ + center where you can join live chat, professionally facilitated, discussion groups. Website
Trans Lifeline – A trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. (877) 565-8860 Website
Trevor Project – Providing confidential support for LGBTQ youth in crisis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A national, 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide prevention service for LGBTQ youth. (866) 488-7386 Website
LOCAL SWFL RESOURCES + SUPPORT
Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT) – A Circle of support services for victims of domestic violence and their children and survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking. (239) 939-3112 Website
CenterLink – The mission is to help build the capacity of centers to meet the social, cultural, health and political advocacy needs of LGBTQ community members across the country. CenterLink also acts as a voice for LGBTQ community centers in national grassroots organizing, coalition building and social activism in order to strengthen and build a unified center movement (954) 765-6024 Website
Gay Social Network of SWFL – The GSN is an organization serving the gay and lesbian community in our area. Our mission is to provide a social and informational source to the community and its friends/sponsors. (239) 434-1612 Website
GET Network Foundation – The organization provides monthly support groups for transgender individuals and their families. The certified and trained professionals as well as the board members are all volunteers. (239) 443-6385 Website
Hope Healthcare – Provides an LGBTQ+ bereavement group on Wednesdays 12pm-1:30pm with Nikki: (239) 415-7219 Website
LGBT Community Fund of SWFL A “multi-donor fund,” which is a giving circle that engages like-minded individuals and organizations to increase philanthropic support in Southwest Florida for the unique challenges and opportunities facing Southwest Florida’s LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community. (239) 274-5900 Website
NAMI LEE – Nonprofit focused on community mental health (239) 337-9034 Website
Naples Pride Center – A safe, supportive space for the inclusive LQBTQ+ community to gather, unite and create change (239) 304-9407 Website
PFLAG Fort Myers – PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. (239) 898-6124 Website
PRIDE Cape Coral – Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization + annual event in South Cape featuring SWFL’s only PRIDE Parade, Vendor Village, live entertainment, food, drinks and more. A portion of proceeds supports local organizations. (239) 900-4028 Website
Rainbow Pages – Directory of LGBTQ+ Nonprofits, businesses and allies. (239) 234-2420 Website
SWFL Harmony Chamber of Commerce – The SWFLHCC exists to promote networking within the existing LGBTQ and LGBTQ Friendly Businesses (800) 967-7750 Website
Pride-SWFL – Unites and engages individuals and organizations to empower, educate and support the Southwest Florida LGBTQ Community; and promotes a positive image in the Sunshine State through community activities and services. Website
ADVOCACY GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
GLAAD – GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, Website
Lambda Legal – An American civil rights organization that focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and (212) 809-8585 Website
SAGE USA – Services and Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Elders. (877) 360-5428 Website
Sunserve – Social programs and support services for LGBTQ+ (954) 764-5150 Website
Trans Youth Equality Center – Provides education, advocacy and support for transgender and gender non-conforming (207) 478-4087 Website
Trans Youth Family Allies – TYFA empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers (888) 462-8932 Website
MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
McGregor Clinic – A nonprofit healthcare program which provides an integrated approach to patient (239) 334-9555 Website
AHF Medical Care – Medical clinic, diagnosis center, free clinic, birth control center, blood testing service, (239) 210-9980 Local Center
Planned Parenthood – Health centers that provide education, support, and sexual and reproductive health (239) 481-9999 Website
Kids Minds Matter – Kids’ Minds Matter raises awareness about the need for pediatric mental and behavioral (239) 214-0921 Website
Very Good Counseling – VGC provides safe and inclusive therapy for all. (407) 917-5205 or click the link below to schedule an appointment to be seen by our inclusive and supportive therapist.
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Footnotes:
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King M, Semlyen J, Tai SS, et al. A systematic review of mental disorder, suicide, and deliberate self harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people. BMC Psychiatry. 2008;8:70.
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Haas, A. P., & Drescher, J. (2014). Impact of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity on Suicide Risk: Implications for Assessment and Treatment. Psychiatric Times, 31(12). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/impact-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-suicide-risk-implications-assessment-and-treatment.
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