Blog

LGBTQ+ communities experience significant disparities in healthcare access and treatment, which negatively impact both physical and mental health. These disparities often stem from systemic inequities, including discrimination, stigma, and lack of provider education, leading to poorer health outcomes across the spectrum of care. Lack of Access to Affirming Care Access to inclusive healthcare remains oneRead more

Addiction doesn’t appear in a vacuum. For some people, substance use can emerge alongside deeper struggles as a way to manage overwhelming emotions or difficult memories. However, within LGBTQ+ communities, these struggles can show up more frequently and more intensely. For instance, queer and gender-diverse individuals can face higher levels of stress, discrimination, and rejection,Read more

Aging isn’t for the faint-hearted, they say, and for LGBTQ+ elders, it can be a maze of complexities even more convoluted than for others. Simply imagine coming out when the world wasn’t so ready for you – then imagine growing old in that same world, still not entirely welcoming to people belonging to LGBTQ+ communities.Read 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