Remaining Resilient Through Adversity as an LGBTQ+ Individual
If you're like me, it's been a difficult year for staying away from the dreaded doomscrolling and fighting the "dark cloud" that comes with extended social media usage. With the current anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation from our current administration, LGBTQ+ people are being faced with a slew of issues, such as barriers to obtaining gender-affirming IDs, free speech bans, healthcare restrictions, and the dismantling of Civil Rights Laws. In Maryland alone, six bills are currently advancing that could mandate forced outing in schools, school sports bans based on biological sex, and restrictive school curriculums that could prohibit essential education on matters such as sexual orientation and gender identity.
This is an incredibly overwhelming time, and it is important to recognize that we are human beings who can only handle so much. This is why we build resilience: so we can bounce back from these challenges and stand stronger than before. Here are some ways to build up resilience and seek out hope in the face of despair.
Ways to build up resilience and seek out hope in times of despair
Validation. It can be easy to doubt yourself in a time where others are trying to tear you down. Try positive self-talk in the mirror, or journaling with affirmations such as, "I'm proud of myself for...," and, "I am worthy of love." Be mindful of thought loops that lead to cognitive distortions, such as all-or-nothing thinking ("I am a failure") and catastrophizing (magnifying negatives and minimizing positives). Treating yourself like your best friend would can go a long way, and you may discover more about yourself than you realize!
Community. Connecting with your chosen family that accepts you for who you are is pivotal. Remaining in a space that supports your gender and sexual identity has been shown to have positive effects on emotional regulation, chronic stress, and social skills. This can take many different forms: volunteering for LGBTQ+ organizations, joining queer clubs in school, or even reading books about queer history. Together, our voices are stronger.
Self-care. Your mind and body are precious, but continued stress can have long-lasting effects on your mind-body system. Sleep hygiene is essential to our wellbeing, so be sure to unplug from electronics and remain consistent in your routine. Nutritious food is also at the core of our physical and mental strength, so try not to skip meals and hydrate during your high-stress moments. If you are reaching that boiling point, focus on your breath and take notice of where in your body you feel tension and seek comfort.
Fun. Participating in any activity that makes you smile can help us break from our stress reactions. Whether it's a hobby you enjoy, like dancing or drawing, or simply engaging with media that depicts LGBTQ+ people in a positive light, these small wins can take us very far when we connect to something greater than ourselves. Make choices that reflect your hopes, not your fears. Limit your news intake on your social media feed tou a couple of days a week, and remain with your community.
LGBTQIA+ resources for support and empowerment
Building resilience takes time, and it doesn't happen overnight. But the more you train this muscle, the easier it will feel to empower yourself to rise above noise. If you are ever in serious danger, or are just looking for more information, I encourage you to save these resources, just in case:
The Trevor Project has many amazing resources, as well as an anonymous 24/7 crisis chatline for anyone in the United States.
Trans Lifeline is an essential hub for trans youth and also has a 24/7 crisis line that connects you to a fellow trans person.
PFLAG is a national organization that hosts support meetings and does consistent outreach throughout the year. There are currently eight chapters in Maryland!
The Pride Center of Maryland is a non-profit that offers many programs related to care, community, and health services.
FreeState Justice offers pro bono legal services to low-income LGBTQ+ clients and provides education for legal needs.
Queer people have been the targets of hate and oppression many, many times in our history. In spite of that, the LGBTQ+ community continues to find a way through the darkness into the light. This time will be no different. That is my hope, and I hope you know that you are not alone.
Looking for Inclusive Support at LifeSpring Counseling Services in Maryland?
Since opening its doors in 2014, LifeSpring Counseling Services has openly communicated its commitment to welcoming individuals from all different backgrounds, regardless of their race, ethnicity, documentation status, gender, or sexual orientation. We believe that everybody deserves to feel welcomed and cared for when they enter a room. Our hope is that the individuals who trust us with their most personal information in therapy will feel seen and heard and that the healing process of therapy allows them to find their voice and speak their truth.
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LGBTQIA+ Resources Recommended by Maryland Area Counselors & Therapists
How to Start Becoming a More Transgender Inclusive and Gender-Affirming Person
When the World Feels Heavy: Finding Comfort and Showing Up as an Ally
Politics at the Table: Tips for Handling Family Differences
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Interested in Online & In-person Counseling Services for LGBTQIA+ affirming services?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Counseling for LGBTQIA+ affirming services aren’t the only services offered at our Maryland office.
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Written by: Tyler Levy, LGPC
Tyler Levy is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor who provides individual therapy services to adults across the state of Maryland via telehealth and in-person counseling at our Baltimore City office.
