LGBTQ+ Community
1. Interpersonal Trauma7:
includes emotional, physical, and sexual abuse – which can lead to psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder. The LGBTQ+ community is more likely to experience violence due to the dehumanization of queer/trans antagonism/phobia.
Healing Responses/Practices:
- Seeking cognitive processing or acceptance and commitment therapy to recover from trauma and to develop greater coping skills and sexual orientation acceptance.
- Finding mental and physical health providers that are educated and involved in the LGBTQ+ community
- Researching health clinics that offer pronouns and other inclusive language on their intake forms
Reflection Question: What situations or people make you feel comfortable about your sexual identity/orientation?
2. Hate Crimes8:
include acts of violence or discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, etc. The LGBTQ+ community is 2x more likely to experience a hate crime as compared to any other minority groups. Common forms of hate crimes include violence, verbal harassment, physical violence, and threats.
Healing Responses/Practices:
- Trauma informed care highlighting the following principles: safety, trust, collaboration, choice, and empowerment.
- Support groups for LGBTQ+ community
Reflection Question: Where are safe spaces and organizations for you to go to if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable?
3. Minority Stress9:
Sexual minorities experience stress along a continuum from objective events and subjective experiences relying on the perceptions of people around them. Minority stress is a major contributing factor to high incidence of mental health issues within the LGBTQ+ community and those working to identify their sexual identity/orientation/gender.
Healing Responses/Practices:
- Seek health providers competent in minority-stress focused treatment to empower the individual
- Cognitive behavioral therapy to restructure cognitions/thought processes perpetuating minority stress cognitions
Reflection Question: How does minority stress impact your mental health? What are the ways that you cope with this?