As June rolls around, a friend recently inquired if I felt particularly drained due to Pride month. She understands the emotional toll that advocacy can take and recognizes how exhausting it can be to be openly queer all the time. While June is a time of celebration for my identity, it can also feel overwhelmingly saturated with queerness—my own included.
I genuinely appreciate the efforts to normalize, educate, and represent diverse sexualities and gender identities. However, I find it disheartening that this emphasis seems to condense into just one month. It saddens me that many news outlets, businesses, and social media platforms only make an effort to represent the LGBTQIA+ community during this time.
Let’s face it: queer individuals are present every day of the year. We yearn to see ourselves reflected in the media and to be seen as deserving of respect and compassion—not violence. The LGBTQIA+ community seeks recognition in a positive and celebratory light 365 days a year. This need for normalization is crucial, especially considering a report from The Trevor Project that reveals that one in five LGBTQ individuals aged 13-24 attempted suicide in the past year. Alarmingly, one in three transgender and nonbinary youth fall into this statistic. Let that sink in for a moment: one in five, and one in three.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being LGBTQIA+. However, societal rejection can lead to feelings of shame, depression, and fear. Amit Paley, the CEO of The Trevor Project, emphasizes that the higher suicide risk among LGBTQ youth stems not from their identity but from the harmful rejection and discrimination they face from friends, family, and broader communities. This rejection can make them feel less than their straight and cisgender peers.
Moreover, the report indicates that two-thirds of LGBTQIA+ youth have faced pressure to conform to a heteronormative identity. With conversion therapy still legal in many states, some young people are left with the impression that there’s something inherently wrong with them.
Society presents a confusing landscape where messages of love and acceptance during Pride month clash with the reality of discrimination, bullying, and neglect in their personal lives. This dissonance can lead to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and can even force individuals to remain in the closet. For some, Pride is not a celebration but a painful reminder of what they cannot openly embrace.
We want to be out and celebrated, yet we also seek safety and acceptance. We want to withstand the prejudice from those around us and the educators who neglect to include LGBTQIA+ history and topics in their curricula. While we want to wave our Pride flags, sometimes all we can manage is to signal for peace.
But for those who are struggling, I assure you that things do improve. Being queer can be painful, and I often internalize the negative messages that suggest transgender individuals are flawed or nonexistent. I sometimes feel out of place in my own body and experience fear in areas where I don’t feel I belong. It can be infuriating to witness lawmakers stripping away my rights simply because I am not straight or cisgender.
Despite all this, there is a bright side. I have encountered incredible allies and members of the queer community who support me wholeheartedly. I’ve formed connections with people who see me for who I am and actively advocate for my rights. I’m making strides toward feeling at home in my body and have noticed gradual changes in societal attitudes. The more openly I live, the happier I become. Living authentically can be challenging, but it also allows me to experience genuine joy. I am loved not in spite of my queerness, but because of it.
There’s still work to be done. The focus on Pride needs to extend beyond June if we truly want to enact change. LGBTQIA+ individuals deserve recognition every day of the year. Our identities, expressions, and love are normal. Fortunately, many organizations are dedicated to affirming and uplifting the queer community. It’s vital to engage with these resources to foster inclusivity and support those in need. And if you’re unsure where to turn, a financial contribution can significantly impact the one in five LGBTQIA+ youth who feel that life is not worth living.
For support, consider reaching out to organizations like the Trevor Project, which offers a 24/7 lifeline for those in crisis. Another excellent resource is the It Gets Better Foundation, which provides uplifting messages to LGBTQ youth. The Human Rights Campaign and GLSEN both work tirelessly to advocate for equality and create safe spaces in educational settings. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t hesitate to reach out.
In conclusion, while June is a time of celebration, it can also remind us of the significant challenges many LGBTQ individuals face. Acknowledging these complexities is essential for fostering understanding and compassion.