Gender diverse youth face unique challenges in navigating their identities in the midst of peers, families, and current political climates. These conditions have the power to shape the way gender diverse youth interact and present themselves to the world. Access to supportive environments while undergoing gender affirmation is crucial to how these youth maneuver bothRead more
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Introduction to SB 923: A Critical Step for Inclusive Healthcare Senate Bill 923, or the Transgender, Gender Diverse, or Intersex (TGI) Inclusive Care Act, mandates that health plans in California take essential steps to ensure healthcare systems are accessible, affirming, and inclusive for TGI communities. The legislation reflects a growing recognition of the disparities facedRead more
For the most part, many cisgender gay men experience various forms of self-deprecation throughout their childhood regarding their effeminacy. Aggressions targeted through verbal usage such as: “sissy,” “faggot”, “maricon,” etc., have created internalized homophobia within gay men that are embedded as childhood trauma. Femmephobia, the suppression or rejection of feminine traits, is a persisting issueRead more
People cope with hardships in many ways. Some methods may be helpful but only provide temporary relief. Take alcohol consumption as an example. At first, it seems like everything’s under control – alcohol eases the pain, and life somehow feels more manageable. However, this honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever. Relying heavily on alcohol as aRead more
Relationships come in many beauty forms and labels. Whether you identify as monogamous or consensually non-monogamous, engage in open relationships, or are asexual or aromantic, every identity is valid and deserves respect. One study shows that 1 out of 9 people have engaged in polyamory with high levels among LGBTQ+ communities. A study by the Trevor Project reported thatRead more
The impact of family rejection on LGBTQ+ mental health and substance use can be huge. It’s no secret that deep emotional wounds can result when family members, who we rely on to be providers of acceptance and support, react negatively. This rejection can affect a lot more than just cause short-term emotional discomfort; it alsoRead more
Historically, the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities in America have been dismissed in the US Census, lumped into the category of “white.” This oversight has resulted in insufficient federal funding and a lack of acknowledgment as a marginalized group. In addition to these challenges, MENA communities face discrimination, fear of violence, language barriers,Read more
LGBTQ+ community centers across the nation serve as crucial lifelines, offering support to nearly 52,000 individuals every week, according to a survey by MAP and CenterLink. Amid a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, these centers are more essential than ever, providing not just a safe haven but also a wide array of critical services such asRead more
Understanding the relationship between depression and LGBTQ+ individuals is essential for providing the necessary support and creating a more inclusive society. Members of LGBTQ+ communities often face unique challenges that can contribute to mental health conditions, including depression. We will explore these challenges, examine the prevalence of depression within LGBTQ+ communities, and discuss how toRead more
Exploring the connection between gender identity and mental health involves facing various ups and downs, both challenges and triumphs. Even when we consider the pressures certain sections of our society place on individuals and how they perceive gender (the US state of Tennessee, for instance, has banned gender-affirming care for minors) or their positive counterpartsRead more