Pride Month: How to Raise Awareness for the LGBTQ+ Community
- Category: Peace
- June 26, 2022
Pride month is about celebrating being part of and supporting the LGTBQ+ community. It is also about raising awareness and understanding the community’s challenges. Presently, there are ongoing issues that you may be unaware of, including the increasing rate of homelessness, poor mental health, and policies targeted toward the LGBTQ+ in their work life.
It is important that such issues start making their way to the light so that our nation can appropriately address and correct these issues. Shedding awareness on this issue is a huge way to continue fighting for the freedom and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Here are some things you can do to educate yourself and help.
Understanding Pride Month
The history of celebrating the LGBTQ+ community started more than 50 years ago when the first pride parade was celebrated in New York City on June 28th, 1970.This was in response to the hostility and hate crimes attempting to segregate those who identified as having a sexual orientation beyond heterosexuality.
As a nation, we have grown from this time, and there are currently no explicit laws in place in the U.S. that target those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.However, sexual prejudice, discrimination, and violence are still prominent, meaning acceptance and support of the LGBTQ+ movement is far from over.
Educate Yourself
It is hard to be an advocate for a subject that you may be unfamiliar with or may only have a little knowledge about. However, the more you know about a topic, the more you can connect with it mentally and emotionally. Doing so can provoke strong emotions that motivate you to fight for what you believe in.
Therefore, educating yourself on the history and current events of LGBTQ+ is an excellent opportunity to learn about the hardships these individuals go through on a daily basis. Educating yourself includes:
Doing Your Research
Many resources can enhance your knowledge and understanding of the LGBTQ+ movement. This can include books, documentaries, or podcasts that touch on this issue. With this, it is recommended that you take an active learning approach by either writing down what you have learned, discussing it with others, or thinking of ideas about how you can help. Additionally, you can seek organizations that support and advocate for these issues. Getting in touch with an advocacy center provides opportunities to learn more about the cause and what you can do to support equal rights.
Asking Questions
Only depicting the LGBTQ+ community through your lens and perspective will limit your understanding. Talking with others in a healthy manner and expanding outside of your knowledge will help you gain more insight into the issue at hand.It can be uncomfortable to discuss with others your beliefs, but without doing so, you won’t have the opportunity to consider other people’s viewpoints. It is important to be honest about what you do not know. Remember, people within this community are here to help you understand without judgment.
Actively Participate
There are support centers scattered all around the 50 states that have a goal to end discrimination against LGBTQ+. They are always searching for more help and eager to receive more support. Reach out to your local LGBTQ+ support center to see how you can get involved to help the community. Projects such as helping out with events, donating, volunteering at an LGBTQ+ crisis call center, or celebrating the pride parades are just some of the things you can do to get involved.
Use Your Voice
No great leader who has made a fundamental change in this world accomplished change by staying silent and hoping the issue would pass. Therefore, people must speak out to create change in the world.
Being an advocate means educating yourself about the cause and getting involved within the community. Doing so will allow you to educate others that may believe in the stigma and stereotypes that surround the issues. You can begin spreading awareness by partaking in LGBTQ+ activities and traditions.
Having an impact on one person makes all the difference and is a huge step in the right direction to bringing awareness to the LGBTQ+ movement.
Reach Out to SokyaHealth
SokyaHealth is an online resource center that employs mental health professionals with varied experience who are motivated to provide diagnosis and treatment for mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders. We are also dedicated to helping strengthen communities. This means we will work to educate individuals about the issues surrounding the LGTBQ+ community and the recovery community to motivate people and bring awareness to these issues.
Whether or not you are experiencing sexual discrimination, prejudice, or violence, being aware can help you bring these issues to a wider audience, thus allowing for change. At SokyaHealth, we provide multiple resources that can aid you in this process of learning and bringing awareness. Therefore, if you are struggling mentally, emotionally, or physically, our team of licensed coaches and therapists is here to help. We prioritize your health above all things and want to make sure you feel safe and healthy. Our wellness services are geared to the individual seeking services. We are motivated to provide you with an accurate diagnosis. Our integrated approach to care will also ensure that you are getting the appropriate balance of conventional and holistic techniques that will help you sustain lasting recovery. If you or a loved one needs help, don’t wait. Learn more about our online programs by calling 800-930-0803 and (866) 65-SOKYA.