LGBTQ+

Everyone needs to come out at their own time, or as I prefer to call it, let others in. When you do decide to let other people know of your sexual or gender identity, you may find that it feels overwhelming.

Most likely, you’ll also experience a lot of relief. While it can be challenging, it’s a great feeling to able to share your true self with those that you love.

Common Responses to Coming Out

Whether your parents are super tolerant or very conservative, coming out can be tough to do.

Luckily, many people have gone through this before you (myself included) and there are a few common types of responses for which you should be prepared, including but not limited to anger, denial, confusion, or ideally, love and support.

In a recent Twitter poll that I conducted that received 398 responses, the following results were collected.

Question for #LGBTQ+ people: When you came out to your parents, what was their immediate reaction? 🏳️‍🌈

(Please reshare if possible….my goal is share these insights with younger generations of our community. Thank you! 🙏🏽)

*Comments with details welcome too.

— Cade Hildreth | LGBTQ+ (@CadeHildreth) February 7, 2020

Thankfully, “Loving and Supportive” was the most common response at 33% of respondents, but when you combine the other responses, that also means that approximately 67% (2 out of 3) parents reacted with some element of anger, denial or confusion.

With this in mind, I would encourage you to read the comments in order to anticipate a diverse range of responses and learn from those who have walked this path before you.
[Read more…] about 11 Tips for Coming Out Every Teen Needs

The word “influencer” describes someone who has acquired influence over or trust among a specific group of people. Thus, queer influencers are people who are influential within and across the LGBTQ community.

With the rise of the internet, and social media in particular, the rise of queer influencers has been exponential.

This is powerful because it means that LGBTQ communities are finally being heard. Gay, lesbian, queer and trans individuals now have platforms where they can directly connect, sharing thoughts, ideas, and importantly, support.

However, with so many voices crying out to be heard, how can you know which queer influencers to follow? [Read more…] about Your Ultimate Guide to Queer Influencers: 25 Must-Follow Accounts

In the U.S., one in five people has a diagnosed mental illness. This number skyrockets among individuals in the LGBTQ community.

In fact, one study found that 37.4% of LGB adults — almost two in five — had a diagnosed mental illness in 2015.

Within the LGBTQ community, transgender individuals struggle with mental illness even more. In a 2020 study, more than 57% of transgender individuals reported a diagnosed mental illness.

These numbers highlight the importance of finding a qualified and compassionate LGBTQ therapist. And if these numbers include you, you know the importance of finding a therapist who knows you’re not “just a number” or a letter on the LGBTQ spectrum. [Read more…] about How Do I Find an LGBTQ Therapist?