What is LGBTQIA+?
LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive abbreviation used to describe a range of sexual orientations and gender identities:
Lesbian: A woman (or woman-aligned person) who is attracted to people only of the same/similar gender.
Gay: A term used to describe a man (or man-aligned person) who is only attracted to people of the same/similar gender. However, “gay” is also used as an umbrella term for people (lesbians, bisexuals, and pansexuals) who experience attraction to the same gender.
Bisexual: An individual who is attracted to people of the same and different genders.
Transgender: An inclusive term that describes individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Queer: A form of identity term that describes individuals who do not identify themselves within the heterosexual norm of sexual orientation and gender.
Intersex: A term used for people who have sex characteristics that do not fit the traditional definition of male or female.
Asexual: The term refers to someone who has little or no sexual attraction to people but may experience romantic attraction.
(+): A symbol that aims to identify all other gender identities and sexual orientations not specifically covered in the main abbreviation.
Gender Identity VS Sexual Orientation
Simply put, gender identity is the way you as a person define your gender. This relates to whether you identify with the gender assigned to you at birth or not.
On the other hand, sexual orientation (sexuality) refers to whom you are attracted to. You can be attracted to the same gender, the opposite gender, or both.
Understanding the non-binary identity:
The term “non-binary” is used by individuals who experience a gender identity that is not exclusively woman or men, or is beyond the two genders. Non-binary people can identify with no gender or more than one gender.
Prevalent Issues Amongst the LGBTQIA+ Community
Despite progress, certain challenges continue to be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We spoke with four individuals a part of the LGBTQIA+ community who shared their experiences with us:
Coming Out: Many worry about how their loved ones will react once they come out. One of the person we spoke with expressed feeling anxiety about whether their family would still see them the same way, fearing they might become a different person in their eyes once they come out. Another was nervous due to their religious/cultural upbringing, which raises questions aroound facing rejection from their family.
Identity: Many of those we spoke with mentioned struggling with their identity during their teenage years. One person described feeling uncertain and new to their feelings, unsure of who to talk to about their experiences as they did not feel attracted to the same people everyone else was. Another highlighted the positive impact of attending a LGBTQIA+ friendly school, which greatly supported developing an identity for themselves, regardless of their family lacking understanding.
Relationships: It seems that the lack of representation, and social and cultural norms all contribute to challenges with interpersonal relationships. LGBTQIA+ individuals report facing challenges in understanding and building healthy romantic and sexual relationships in the very beginning of exploring their sexuality and identity which can, later on, affect their adult life.
Social Pressure: One of the people we spoke with expressed feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to label themselves and explain their identity to their family. They emphasised the need for time to understand where they fit within the community, highlighting the struggles many face with societal expectations.
Discrimination and Stigma: It is well known that a lot of stigma and discrimination still creeps in the air. They are commonly faced in everyday life, mental and physical healthcare to general human rights. A survey conducted by the NHS reveals that 51% of LGBTQIA+ individuals reported that they waited too long to access mental health support, and half of these felt embarrassed about going due to a lack of understanding.
Note that these are just a glimpse of the issues LGBTQIA+ individuals can face as there is much more attending to this topic.
The Mental Health Challenges
Every year studies and statistics come up with different data showing that the LGBTQIA+ community experiences declining mental health and is more likely to develop problems such as:
Anxiety/Social Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Low self-esteem
Suicidal feelings
Substance abuse
High Suicide Rate Amongst the LGBTQIA+ Community
It's crucial to highlight that being part of the LGBTQIA+ community isn't the root cause of experiencing the mentioned challenges or being inherently prone to suicidal risk. Instead, it's due to the mistreatment and stigmatisation pervasive in our society.
Recent studies have emphasized that young LGBTQIA+ people are four times more likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers. Why is that?
Minority Stress: This suggests higher suicide risk due to LGBTQ+ victimization experience and the internalization of anti-LGBTQ+ messages.
Rejection, Lack of Support/Affirming Spaces: Parental rejection and the lack of supportive spaces indicate a higher chance of depression and suicide attempts.
Discrimination: Reports suggest that LGBTQIA+ individuals who have experienced more discrimination within a year attempted twice the rate of suicides.
Conversion Therapy - Why Is It Harmful?
You, as a reader, might be familiar with conversion therapy and wonder why we're giving it a spotlight. Is it not a relic of the past—something outdated and inhumane? Unfortunately, it is not, the sad reality is that conversion therapy still exists and is practised to this day.
Conversation therapy is any form of intervention/therapy method that tries to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The goal of conversation therapy is to “cure” the individual which can cause long-term psychological distress. It is reported that people who undergo conversion therapy are twice as likely to attempt suicide.
This is why it is vital to note that a healthy therapy space offers an understanding, affirming and supportive space for the exploration of the individual’s journey without the fear of judgment or the need for change.
What Should I Do If My Therapist/Coach Is Trying To Convince Me That They Can “Change” Me?
You finally decide to give therapy a chance, longing for a safe and non-judgmental space to open up. You expect that you will be accepted, understood and supported by your therapist/coach. However, after a few sessions, it becomes evident that they don't fully grasp who you are. They integrate the idea that you can "change" and become your true self by leaving behind your LGBTQIA+ identity. Feeling overwhelmed and confused, you're left wondering what to do next:
Are you hit with discomfort? - a clear sign to trust your instincts. If a therapy space feels uneasy and you're left feeling misunderstood, your feelings are entirely valid, and you have every right to walk away.
Consider filing a complaint if the therapist attempting to "change" you is a licensed mental health provider. This is unethical behaviour and should not go unaddressed.
Seek support from a safe circle of people who understand you in your decisions. Sharing your experience with them can provide emotional validation and guidance as you navigate this challenging situation.
Remember, you deserve therapy that respects and affirms your identity.
Looking For The Right Therapist
Start with setting clear goals about what you want to accomplish in the therapy setting. This means whether you are looking for a therapist with specific expertise or who identifies similarly to you, someone with first-hand experience within the LGBTQIA+ community. Think about whether you are comfortable with a therapist who isn't a part of the LGBTQIA+ community but is educated and culturally aware.
You would be able to explore various options, as therapy is broad when it comes to this.
Here are some examples:
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Affirming CBT
Art therapy
Interpersonal therapy
Supporting a Loved One
It is no secret that having a good support system is vital for our mental health. And this is particularly true for people a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. So how can you be there for someone you deeply care about while they might face challenges on their journey?
Here we included some prompts from the four individuals we spoke with:
We'd like to express our thanks to the four individuals who shared a glimpse of their personal experiences of being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
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