Dr. Ramo highlighted that even mental health is challenging for everyone right now, however, she also added there is particular adversity for LGBTQ+ folks.
"People who identify as LGBTQ+ have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and are more likely to consider suicide compared to cis-gender, heterosexual people," Dr. Ramo told Bored Panda. "There are clear links between mental health challenges among LGBTQ+ people and stigma and discrimination. Many LGBTQ+ people report experiencing stigma around their identity and may have lower levels of support in their homes and their communities. They are also more likely to be victims of violence."
#3 After I Came Out, My Mom Wanted To Not Only Show Her Support To Me But To The Entire Community
If we were to look at numbers, we'd see that, sadly, around 40% of LGBTQ+ adults have experienced rejection from a family member or a close friend, while roughly 86% of LGBTQ+ youth are being harassed or assaulted at school. Additionally, only 37% of the latter identified their home as an LGBTQ+-affirming space.
There can be a number of reasons why some families may have trouble accepting their LGBTQ+ family members for who they are. According to Dr. Ramo, these include "their own fear or discomfort with LGBTQ+ identity, often guided by their religious beliefs or other teachings, and/or their fears that their family members will be treated differently because they identify as LGBTQ+."
In certain cases, the clinical psychologist said this can lead to people advocating or forcing their family member to undergo so-called conversation therapy—the practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.
"Conversation therapy has been proven not to work and in fact is harmful to LGBTQ+ individuals. Young LGBTQ+ people often experience conversation therapy as a form of family rejection, leading to low self-esteem, and mental health challenges."
#11 This Post My Mom Made On My Birthday A Few Years Ago Still Makes Me Cry
"There is a clear link between family support and thriving among LGBTQ+ individuals," Dr. Ramo stressed. "For example, the Trevor Project National Survey showed that LGBTQ+ youth who felt high social support from their family reported attempting suicide at less than half the rate of those who felt low or moderate social support. Family support can have a positive impact on LGBTQ+ individuals' mental health by helping them feel confident in who they are and by bolstering their ability to get through challenges from society and other environments like discrimination and stigma."
Dr. Ramo said family support can be especially helpful to LGBTQ+ people when it's expressed not only to them but also to their LGBTQ+ friends and partners, whether it's talking to them about their identity, using names and pronouns correctly, or supporting their gender expression.
#14 I Told My Grandma I Was Bisexual A Few Weeks Ago And Today She Gave Me This. My Grandma Made Me A Rainbow Sweater
#15 Loving Mother
#16 My Grandma Is 83 And Lives In Rural Florida, Where She Is Surrounded By Anti-Gay People. She Just Had Her Two Front Benches Repainted In Support Of Her 3 LGBTQ Grandkids
Pride is celebrated in June, as that was the month when the Stonewall riots took place.
The Stonewall riots began on June 29, 1969. On that night, decades of discrimination and police brutality against queer and trans people, especially LGBTQ+ people of color, culminated in six days of rebellion at a queer bar in the West Village, The Stonewall Inn.
#18 My Uncle And Grandma On Their Way To A Pride Parade In The ‘80s
#19 Man Offers 'Free Dad Hugs' At Pride Parade. I Wish Everyone Had Supportive Parents
#20 My Dad, Who 7 Years Prior Put Me In Gay Conversion Therapy, Helping With My Bow Tie Moments Before Officiating My Wedding To My Beautiful Wife
