Pride: “The Opposite End of Spectrum”

Written by Andi Bazaar, Oliver Tydalé Schofield, Yevhn Gertz | June 8, 2024

11 min readJun 8, 2024

“In the US 78.8% of suicides were male within 20 years and in the UK in 2020 15% of males per 100,000 committed suicide. 23% reported that they have been physically threatened or harmed in the past year due to either their sexual orientation/gender identity and 60% have felt discriminated against in the past year.”

I just wanted to say that June is both Pride Month and Mens Mental Health Awareness Month, I have really struggled with my mental health over the last few years so I want to give this to you a few things to note:
The rate of young men committing suicide is increasing exponentially, this is because boys are told from a young age that “boys don’t cry” and that we should all bottle up our emotions and if we show them we need to “man up”. In the US, 78.8% of suicides were male within 20 years and in the UK in 2020 15% of males per 100,000 committed suicide, truly these are awful statistics and we need to help. So below are some ways to help:

Get ride of the phrases “man up” and “boys don’t cry.
Loosen up on gender stereotypes as in my experience the way parents treat their sons because they aren’t “manly” can have disastrous effects.
Normalise being gay and trans in the home so boys feel safe coming out.
Be there for your sons and boyfriends and husbands and friends so they have someone to talk to.
Reassure them that it’s okay to be themselves and it’s okay to cry.

Research shows that 1 in 5 birthing individuals experience anxiety, depression or mood disorders during or after pregnancy. For those in the LGBTQIA+ community, getting treatment for maternal mental health is even more difficult.

Individuals with increased risk of perinatal depression are those who have a personal or family history of mental illness; lack social support especially from their partner or experienced a traumatic birthing process.

According to these previous studies, LGBTQIA+ parents still suffer discrimination and may not be fully supported within maternity or child healthcare because of heteronormativity and professionals attitudes and practices.

A lack of LGBTQIA+ education and training amongst healthcare professionals may contribute to negative attitudes or apprehension towards caring for this population which may ultimately lead to worsened conditions of LGBTQIA+ birthing individuals (both mentally and physically.)
Recent studies has shown that queer individuals are at least 2x likely to develop mental health issues during and after pregnancy, many of them described the transition to parenthood as a time of confusion due to the expectations of their environments.

Ultimately, it is up to the healthcare professionals to take steps to educate themselves and make sure LGBTQIA+ parents struggles are recognized and acknowledged.

While Pride Month often serves as a fun, vibrant celebration it can also be an opportunity to connect those who are struggling with mental health to resources that they otherwise may not encounter. Let’s examine the intersection of LGBTQIA+ identity, Pride month and mental health.

Pride is a celebration of LGBTQIA+ identity and self-expression but between the throngs of attendees dressed in vibrant rainbow costumes and the parades filled with ornate floats, upbeat music and lively dancing, it can be easy to forget that this celebration draws its roots from pivotal moments of resistance against oppression.

A police raid on a popular gay bar in June of 1969 ignited the Stonewall Uprising which saw thousands of protestors clash with law enforcement for multiple nights. One year later, the first Pride marches were held to commemorate the demonstrations and serve as a rallying cry for visibility and justice in the face of discrimination and adversity.

While growing acceptance LGBTQIA+ individuals has reshaped Pride into a celebration, discrimination and adversity continue to plague communities across the country and across the globe with significant implications for the mental health of people living in less tolerant areas.

Rainier Wells, a licensed mental health counselor with Grow Therapy who identifies as non-binary, says that it is completely reasonable for people to want to focus on joy, positivity and celebration at Pride events but Pride month can also be an opportunity to connect those who are struggling with mental health to resources that they otherwise may not encounter.

“While the spotlight light’s on us, let’s step into it!” said Wells, who specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals. “We’re already out there and we’re talking about what affects us in our communities, why not also talk about some of the harder stuff that makes it difficult to feel pride or express ourselves?”

A 2023 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health and Services Administration(SAMHSA) which studied the behavioral health of lesbian, gay and bisexual adults, consistently found that LGB adults were more likely than straight adults to experience a mental illness, a major depressive episode or thoughts of suicide.

Likewise, a 2023 survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that nearly 70% of LGBTQIA+ individuals reported needing a mental health service over the past two years in comparison to about 40% of non-LGBTQIA+ individuals.

For many people within the LGBTQIA+ community, the challenges that begin to impact their mental health start at a young age. From bullying at schools to unsupportive household environments, the weight of discrimination and alienation can be felt early. In 2024, the Trevor Project released a national survey on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ young people which found that:

60% have felt discriminated against in the past year due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
49% of (13–17 year olds) have been bullied in-person within the past year.
23% reported that they have been physically threatened or harmed in the past year due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity.
90% said their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics.

For those who live outside of major metropolitan areas or have limited ability to travel, connecting with the larger LGBTQIA+ community regularly may not be easy. Pride month and the events associated with it can provide a great first step to fostering that connection and introducing individuals to the range of services and organizations that exist for the queer community, including mental health services. It can also be an opportunity for many individuals who are exploring their identities to meet LGBTQIA+ peers and hear from voices that could help them on their personal journey.

To ensure that people understand the full spectrum of services and opportunities available during Pride month, Wells believes that organizers need to frame the events as more than just a celebration.

“People should be thinking, ‘If I go to this event, I may be able to learn about something new that could connect me to something I really need,’” Wells said.

Aside from the specific mental health services provided, Pride can also support overall mental well-being for queer people by fostering a sense of belonging.

Although many communities today are more accepting of LGBTQIA+ people, individuals across the age spectrum still experience social isolation due to their queerness which can impact their mental health. Only about 40% of young LGBTQIA+ people surveyed by the Trevor Project reported feeling that their home was an affirming space. On the opposite end of the spectrum, many aging LGBTQIA+ adults experience loneliness because they have a history of family rejection.

For those who don’t come from tolerant environments, their friends and social circles can become a chosen family and having strong social and support networks can mitigate feelings of loneliness and depression that can lead to poor mental health outcomes.

Pride events create opportunities for people to connect with others who share similar experiences, interests, and identities. Younger people can see themselves reflected positively in their communities, while older people have the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate contributions that different generations of queer people have made to the struggle for equality.

Improving rates of mental health treatment among LGBTQIA+ people can be tricky for a variety of reasons. A second survey of LGBTQ adults conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that, among respondents who had either received or tried to receive mental health care over the past three years:

55% said that it was difficult to find a mental health care provider who they could see in a timely manner.
51% said that it was difficult to find a mental health care provider who could relate to their background and experiences.
49% of those with health insurance had difficulty finding a provider who would take their health insurance.
48% had difficulty finding a provider that they could afford.

Pride gives people a chance to feel what it’s like to exist in an environment that celebrates their uniqueness and authenticity. But the societal challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community that inspired the need for Pride continue to exist. When the parades are over and the speeches have ended, it’s important that queer people leave with the tools and resources that they need to navigate real life.

This Pride season, make sure that you are caring for your mental health. Explore the mental health resources offered both virtually and at in-person events near you.

Community is vital for good mental health, during Pride Month let’s celebrate and strengthen our communities! Here’s a part of practical tips for building supportive and empowering community:

(1) Reach Out – Connect with local LGBTQIA+ organizations, support groups and social events. Find spaces where you can be your authentic self and build meaningful connections.

(2) Volunteer – Give back to your community by volunteering for LGBTQIA+ causes.

(3) Online platforms – Engage with LGBTQIA+ online communities, join forums, and participate in discussions. Share your experiences, seek advice and provide support to others.

(4) Allies are important too – Encourage open dialogue and educate allies on queer and trans issues. Foster an environment of understanding and acceptance. Allies play a crucial role in creating inclusive spaces.

(5) Mental Health Support – Seek out queer-affirming mental health professionals and therapists who understand the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Prioritize your mental well-being, let’s remember that together we are stronger. By building and nurturing our communities, we create spaces where everyone can thrive. Spread love, support and celebrate the power of community this Pride Month and beyond.

Pride on Mental Health in Transmasculine People.

⚠️ TW: Depression, Suicide, etc. ⚠️

(in no way is this about comparison to trans women, it’s about transmasculine people. we don’t need to be pitted against each other.)

For TDoV I’d like to highlight the mental health statistics of transmasculine people, I don’t wish to invite comparison between trans-men and trans-women and the stats I look at also separate non-binary people and those with intersex variations (as well as cis/gay/bi people).

I’m not going to speak on experiences I don’t know, so I’m focusing on trans-men. The numbers are bleak, so please don’t read on if you’re not up to it.

⚠️ TW: Depression, Anxiety, Suicide, Sexism/Misogyny ⚠️

(Keep in mind, stats are predominantly from Australia)

Source – lgbtihealth.org.au/statistics/

“Rates of psychological distress for Gay men, Lesbian women, Bisexual men, Bisexual women and Trans women declined with age. Rates for psychological distress among Trans men were consistently high across all age groups.” Trans men’s mental health doesn’t improve with time/age.

So what are those numbers?

“40.5% of Trans-men aged 18 and over and report current thoughts about suicide or self-harm in the last 2 weeks” At any given moment, 2 out of 5 adult trans men may be suicidal. The general cis population is 3.44% in the last 12 months.
“62.1% of Trans-men aged 18 and over have been diagnosed with depression in their lifetime” General cis population is 11.6%. Keep in mind, trans-men have this high number across all age groups, suggesting an affected trans-men individual may be depressed for life.
42.6% of Trans-men aged 16 and over reported being diagnosed or treated for anxiety in the last 3 years”
Gen cis-pop is 26.3% over a lifetime.
My large local tguy support group did a survey once, they asked what barriers people had to accessing the group.
Number one by far “Anxiety”

“Trans-men average a K10 score of 23.2 indicating high levels of psychological distress”

The K10 is what Aus Drs use to measure your general mental health, 90% of the general pop are low to moderate levels – the total averaging a score of 14.5. No improvement with age in trans-men.

So why doesn’t our mental health improve? No stats on that, so the following is my personal thoughts.

We’ve only recently had access to lower surgery in Australia for trans-men, but it is still prohibitively expensive. Trans-men are using their superannuation on top surgery already.

I believe that anyone who is, has or ever will be perceived as a woman by society experiences misogyny and sexism – the effects of this don’t just disappear for trans men. Much of society sees us as strange or warped women and we experience very high rates of sexual abuse.

We also face erasure and are invisibilised by not just greater society, but by the LGBTIQIA+ Communities we’re a part of. People think we are equal to cis-men, and negate our ongoing trauma, abuse and lived experiences. We have our own complex intersections like any other minority.

I know so many guys who are actively rooting out toxic masculinity in our community, who uplift other trans-men out of depression who educate and use their time and energy for nothing but good and all of these lovely people have depression of their own. I want them “visible.”

[Update]: They updated their study for 2020, so I was going to make an entirely new thread like this one to stay accurate. Except none of the numbers for trans people have changed, either no new data or data is unchanged. Still all relevant as ever.

Therapeutic Benefits of Inclusion and Acceptance

In their practice, Wells works with LGBTQIA+ individuals to explore their trauma and the chronic, complex challenges that may stem from that trauma. Complex trauma among queer communities can be related to religion, identity, intersectionality and overall societal oppression, among other things. While those issues can seem like a lot to confront, therapy can help people learn how to navigate through these challenges in their day to day lives.

“If I try to take on the weight of the world of why homophobia, transphobia and transmisogyny exist – that’s going to be too much,” Wells said.
“Therapy is about helping us work on acknowledging and accepting what we can do and what we can’t.”

One therapeutic practice that Wells believes can be helpful for the LGBTQIA+ Community is body-based work that addresses feelings of disconnect and detachment. Somatic therapy attempts to identify how emotions can present in a physical form, using mind-body techniques to alleviate the ailment.

“With that body-based work, let’s Identify what’s showing up in the body and then maybe we can connect it back to a feeling and a memory to try to build our understanding and narrative from there.”

Self-compassion-based practices are another style of therapy that Wells has leaned on, which involves learning how to provide yourself with the same compassion that you would give a friend who is struggling. That may seem easy, but when confronted with failures or difficult challenges people’s inner thoughts can turn negative.

“It’s a really beautiful style that has tangible activities, but also gives us the language to talk in a more neutral, but trending positive way that people seem to connect with,” Wells said. “The core of it is about common humanity, which means I’m not better or worse than anyone else.”

Research has shown that self-compassion can help individuals have a more stable sense of self-worth and avoid feelings of shame and loneliness.