In an interview with Nisnis, a therapist shared an important message and advice for queer people who may be feeling overwhelmed or hopeless in the face of ongoing discrimination and hatred. We are publishing this to remind our community that there is hope, even in the darkest of times.
QE: What message or advice would you give to queer individuals who may be feeling overwhelmed or hopeless in the face of ongoing discrimination and hatred?
It’s a cliche, but I really want you to know you’re not alone. There are a lot of people rooting for your existence, your survival, and more than that, but for you to be able to thrive. I always tell clients or friends, “I’m sorry that we even have to be having these conversations. I’m sorry that these risks exist in the first place and have to be navigated, but the reminder of not needing to go through them alone and the ways in which you may have been forced to adapt or cope aren’t your fault. We have all been pushed into places and to do things that we want to forget, avoid, or not deal with because they are difficult and hard. And that’s OK. There’s nothing wrong with you for doing that. And the shame, guilt, frustration, and anger are all normal. And it’s OK that your response could have been less than healthy or perfect in a lot of different ways. You’re not alone.
Building a strong connection. Having a solid safety plan—who can you trust? How do you respond? How do you get out if you need to? Do you have a safe place to stay if necessary? Do you have some money saved? Put aside some if you can. And also, just have somebody to rely on. You know, I think about a plan from a few different perspectives, and one of them is that physical safety piece. It is just like logical safety. Who do you call to motivate you? Who do you call to encourage you? And prioritizing your health, wellness, and stability above all else is not only a way to be part of a community but also a way to survive and thrive so that you can be a good and supportive part of that community, especially when times are difficult for others.
