Mind Connections wants all our clients to see how valuable they truly are. Being who you are should always bring you pride. You are unique and special just by being you. Don’t ever waste the person you are by trying to be someone you are not. Therefore, LGBTQ+ pride is a celebration of your identity.  

If you identify as LGBTQ+, it may be hard to feel completely comfortable in our society. We have made a lot of progress in this world, but we still have a lot more to go. Through the challenges and difficult times you may face, know that you are so strong and capable of always rising above! 

What is LGBTQ+ Pride?

LGBTQ+ Pride can be the annual gay pride events that happen around the world or the emotional pride you feel within yourself for who you are.

Pride events celebrate and honor the people in the LGBTQ+ community who fought for their community’s rights. In times where people were being arrested and harassed for being queer, brave people stood up and fought back. Notably, the Stonewall riots are one of the most recognizable fights for LGBTQ+ liberation and justice. 

Every year since Stonewall, people gather in large crowds to celebrate who they are. People from all over the world get together to wear outfits that represent their identities, meet friends, and cheer each other on. 

As mentioned before, someone can also have emotional pride within themselves. People who have pride in their hearts feel affirmed in who they are – being affirmed means that they accept their sexuality/identity and know that there is nothing they need to change about that. 

What is LGBTQ+ Pride’s Effect on the Mental Health in the Queer Community?

Having pride effects someone’s self-esteem and self-worth. When people feel ashamed of who they are, they develop a negative self-image. LGBTQ+ people may feel shame due to: religious trauma, lack of social support, discrimination, etc. 

Recent studies found elevated levels of self-hate and self-inadequacy in sexual minority participants. Furthermore, these negative feelings can lead to low self-esteem.

Low self-esteem can reduce your quality of life in many different ways. This constant self-criticism can lead to depression, anxiety, anger, shame, body image problems, and relationship difficulties. 

Alternatively, when someone has positive feelings associated with who they are, their self-esteem prospers! 

How to Develop More Self Pride

As you can see, having a positive view of yourself matters. In life, we all go through things that can make us feel bad about ourselves. It is normal to struggle from time to time with your self-assurance, but remember that you deserve to feel good about yourself, overall. You are worthy of living a happy and successful life! 

If you are interested in learning about ways to increase pride in yourself, keep reading!

First, Practice Positive Self-Talk

The way you talk to yourself has so much power over how you live your life and feel. If you constantly belittle and talk down to yourself, you will struggle with feeling self-love. When you speak kindly to yourself, you will start to see the beauty and worth you possess.

One way to practice this is through positive affirmations. Positive affirmations improve your self-esteem, self-compassion, emotional well-being, and ability to succeed! See how powerful your thoughts and words are!

With this in mind, here are some positive affirmations for LGBTQ+ people:

• I….
• am loved
• deserve love and respect
• am enough, always
• accept myself for who I am
• uplift my community
• spread love to every person I come across

Second, Learn More About the LGBTQ+ History

Another way to feel more pride in yourself is by learning about your community’s history. As mentioned before, so many courageous people fought for LGBTQ+ rights. 

Watch documentaries/movies, listen to podcasts, or read about events like Stonewall, the legalization of gay marriage in America, etc. This research may not always be easy – learning about the hardships people faced for being just like you can be very upsetting, at times. Remember that you are valid in your emotions. Also, know that through dark clouds and times, a rainbow of hope can always find its way through. Learning about people who fought for your rights will help you feel such pride for your community!

Third, Keep Your Circle as Accepting As Possible

In life, there may be times where we can not choose who surrounds us – for example, you may have a family that is not accepting of who you are. In these instances, know that there are so many people who would accept and love you in this world.

You can’t pick your family, but you can pick the friends you hang out with. A true friend is going to accept and support you for who you are, always. They may be LGBTQ+ also but if they are not they act as allies. If you have friends that make you feel terrible about who you are, they do not deserve to be in your life.

Some friend red flags to look out for can include:

• Always putting you down
• Making you feel uncomfortable when you share who you are and your experiences
• Being embarrassed by the LGBTQ+ community
• Being verbally or emotionally abusive to you or any other LGBQIA+ person
• Saying they “support you” in private but act differently in public
• Making constant inappropriate comments about your sexuality/gender that make you feel unsettled

It can be hard to set boundaries with people or put space between you and these friends, but your mental and physical well-being is a priority!

Fourth, Join LGBTQ+ Pride Spaces

Having other queer friends is amazing! Being around other LGBTQ+ people makes you feel visible, heard, valued, and valid. If you are in search of more queer people to surround yourself with, try joining LGBTQ+ spaces like local organizations, your school’s GSA, or any other safe and affirming place you can find! Click here, we included free LGBTQ+ resources for our gay community.

Fifth, Consume LGBTQ+ Media 

Representation matters, always! When someone who is Transgender gets to see Transgender actors/actresses and storylines on their television, it means a lot. The media is always a reflection of our society- the more and more representation of people in the LGBTQ+ community in shows and movies will promote more normalization and acceptance.

Look up LGBTQ+ books, shows, podcasts, or movies you’d like to experience. This can also improve your social connections and help you join things like book clubs or cultural centers. 

Remember that…

You deserve to feel pride in who you are! You deserve to love yourself and accept each part of you. Furthermore, you deserve to have social support that helps you through it all! 

Mind Connections wishes you a Happy Pride Month! We provide affirming counseling for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. If you struggle with harassment, hatred, related stress, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health challenge we are here to provide LGBTQIA-friendly therapy! Call us free for 15 minutes to discuss your concerns and seek pride counseling. 

Content Creator, Victoria Gallo; Reviewed by Dr. June Cao