October is LGBT History Month

LGBT History Month roots began in 1994, when a Missouri high school teacher named Rodney Wilson brought together other teachers and community leaders to address his belief a month should be dedicated to the celebration of teaching gay and lesbian history. October was chosen because school was in session and of other traditions, such as National Coming Out Day occurring during October.

“LGBT History Month sends an important message to our nation’s teachers, school boards, community leaders, and youth about the vital importance of recognizing and exploring the role of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in American history.”
George Chauncey, Samuel Knight Professor of American History and Chair of the History Department, Yale University

Keith Harrington work - National Coming Out Day.

National Coming Out Day is observed each year on October 11, and began in 1988, which is the anniversary of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in (the first was 1979). This day was founded by Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary to destigmatize the LGBTQ+ community.

This was during the AIDS epidemic and individuals with HIV and AIDS were being openly discriminated against, and relationships between gay and lesbian couples were still not recognized.

“Most people think they don’t know anyone gay or lesbian, and in fact, everybody does. It is imperative that we come out and let people know who we are and disabuse them of their fears and stereotypes.”
Robert Eichberg, in 1993

Since then, it has become less risky to come out openly, but it is not always safe for LGBTQ+ people to come out (or share their sexual orientations or gender identities with others). Homelessness is a significant concern, as many youth who come out to their parents are no longer welcome in the home. The Williams Institute reports 40% of the youth served by their agencies identify as LGBT. As adults, LBGTQ+ people face discrimination with finding housing and shelters, particularly transgender people.

Research conducted at San Francisco State University on the topic of family acceptance of LGBTQ youth found that “compared with LGBTQ young people who were not rejected or were only a little rejected by their parents and caregivers because of their gay or transgender identity, highly rejected LGBTQ young people were:

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

LGB adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a mental health condition
LGBTQ people are at a higher risk than the general population for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts
High school students who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are almost five times as likely to attempt suicide compared to their heterosexual peers
48% of all transgender adults report that they have considered suicide in the past 12 months, compared to 4% of the overall US population

In the field of mental health, we are now on the 5^th edition of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – which is a list detailing possible diagnoses). It was not until 1986, in the DSM-III, that the American Psychiatric Association removed the diagnosis of homosexuality. However, the diagnosis of Sexual Disorders Not Otherwise Specified remained, which can include “persistent and marked distress about one’s sexual orientation.”

Today, conversion therapy, or “reparative therapy,” is a harmful therapy being practiced by some mental health providers with claims that the therapy can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. While there have been several research studies to disprove these claims, and currently to date California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico all have laws and regulations protecting underage individuals from this unethical and harmful practice, it is still being used. Studies found youth who underwent conversion therapy were likely to have depression, anxiety, engage in drug use, be homeless, and commit suicide.

While June is a celebration of Pride in who we are and having safe spaces to express ourselves, October is a month to reflect on how the LGBTQ+ community has contributed to society, gained rights, and remember those who have fought for LGBTQ+ people to be treated equally, fairly, and with safety, including in therapy.

“How can you as parents, adults, peers, and friends, provide positive support? Research shows that Parents & Caregivers can help decrease rates of attempted suicide by decreasing their feelings of rejection toward their LGBTQ+ youth. Forms of help could look like:

joining a support group just for parents to get parental support about their own feelings.
seeking individual (for not only the LGBTQ+ person in your life, but for yourself) and/or family therapy.
asking questions to your children (which may be uncomfortable) but get the conversation started and allow to LGBTQ+ youth to feel accepted.

Schools are often a source of resources for support for LGBTQ+ students and provide positive role models in safe spaces. If schools are not aware of any resources, GLSEN is a great organization designed to assist with provided education to educations.

Administration staff can refer to GLSEN for more information here: https://www.glsen.org/.
Providing designated safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, indicated by Pride flags or Safe Space stickers.
Connect with other community resources, such as the Uniting Pride Center of Champaign for more resources.
Creating and supporting GSAs and allowing students time to attend and promoting awareness of GSA events.

Peers are often a great resource for support. Sometimes it can be difficult for peers to spread information to one another, especially when peers may be struggling to come out.

National Coming Out Day is a great resource to connect peers with one another to create social support systems.
Making youth aware that the Uniting Pride Center of Champaign (UP Center) offers a Talk It Up Group for adolescents and allowing peers to pass along this information to one another can be helpful in providing peer support.
Safe spaces such as GSAs are another great way in which peers can provide peer support in collaboration with schools.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, make a call today to schedule an appointment or check out one of the hotline numbers below. I can help you put the pieces together.

A List of LGBTQ Crisis & Hotline Services Developed by oSTEM:

The Trevor Project

What is it?
A non-judgmental hotline with LGBTQ-sensitive trained counselors you can contact through a call, text, or chat during a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts. Available in the United States.

Contact Information:
a) Trevor Lifeline
1-866-488-7386
Available 24/7
Free

b) TrevorText
Text the word “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200
Available Thursday and Friday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET
Standard messaging rates apply

c) TrevorChat
Enter the online portal on The Trevor Project’s website.
Available 7 days a week, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET
Free

Trans Lifeline

What is it?
A 24/7 hotline available in the U.S. and Canada staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Trans Lifeline is primarily for transgender people in a crisis, from struggling with gender identity to thoughts of self-harm.

Contact information:
a) United States
1-877-565-8860
Available 24/7

b) Canada
1-877-330-6366
Available 24/7

GLBT National Help Center

What is it?
The GLBT National Help Center provides telephone, online chat, and email peer-support. They speak with callers of all ages about bullying, workplace issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, coming out, relationships, safer sex, and more. They also have a massive resource database for social and support groups, gay-friendly religious organizations, sports, leagues, student groups, and more.

Contact information:
a) Toll-Free National Hotline
1-888-843-4564
Monday – Friday 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. ET
Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET

b) Youth Talkline
1-800-246-7743
Monday – Friday 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. ET
Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET
For teens and young adults up to age 25

c) Online Peer-Support Chat
Monday – Friday 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. ET
Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET
One-on-one confidential peer support; not for casual chatting.
Chat here.

d) Trans Teens Online Talk Group
Weekly moderated group for trans teens ages 12 – 19
Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. ET
Join the group here.

e) The Gay & Lesbian Switchboard of New York
1-212-989-0999
Monday – Friday 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. ET
Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET
NYC hotline providing peer-support and information on local resources