Exploration and expression of our identities is a necessary process for understanding ourselves and gaining self-esteem. Unfortunately, many of us may feel that we cannot express our true selves out of fear of judgment or discrimination from others.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are certainly no stranger to this type of discrimination.
If you have been struggling and want to explore your identity and live as your authentic self, you are not alone and there are resources available to help support you.
Understanding the Obstacles
The LGBTQ+ community has come a long way, fighting through many obstacles to achieve the rights and protections we have today. However, there still remain many systemic and social barriers for LGBTQ+ identifying individuals that make it difficult and dangerous to openly identify across all settings. This can be especially true for individuals with intersecting minority identities, who face additional threats of discrimination, retaliation, and a general lack of access to resources.
Often, we may identify within the LGBTQ+ community but fear coming out to parents, family, or friends for various reasons. The coming out process can be beautiful, dangerous, challenging, and involve the simultaneous gaining and losing of support. Deciding when and how to come out is deeply personal and looks different for each person. There is no “right” way or time to come out, it is a process that is unique to you.
Because of the discrimination and hostility that LGBTQ+ individuals may face, you might be scared to approach the possibility of coming out. It can be painful to have both valid experiences of fears and reservations, as well as a desire to fully express your identity.
No matter what obstacles and emotions you are facing you do not need to navigate this process alone. Exploring your identities and how and when you want to share them with various individuals and systems in your life can feel lonely, confusing, and isolating at times. Counseling can provide a space of acceptance, celebration, and compassion. Together we can explore your identity and create a plan that allows you to feel in control of your coming out process.
Finding Communities and Allies
Surrounding yourself with people who uplift and support you can be a great foundation for the support you need in this journey. You may already have a group of friends who you can trust to celebrate all of your identities and find comfort with. This may include those with similar identities, or those who simply accept you for who you are.
Oftentimes, there may be smaller LGBTQ+ communities, including those with groups and programming for individuals with intersecting identities, in your area that provide spaces for you to express yourself without fear or judgment. All individuals deserve such spaces and communities that work to uplift one another. Finding supportive communities and allies can be helpful to increase your comfort with your identity and help you decide if you want to begin expressing your identities more publicly.
Finding a Safe Space Through LGBTQ+ Therapy
What does therapy have to do with expressing your identities without being judged? Perhaps a lot.
Not only can therapy provide a safe, private, and non-judgmental space for you to talk about your identities, it can also help you to gain new insight and understanding into how you wish to express yourself in different settings. Therapy can also allow you an outlet to explore your fears, concerns, desires, and past experiences related to your cultural identities. That can be vital within our LGBTQ+ community, as many of our experiences related to our identities can lead to increased risks for symptoms of depression, anxiety, or substance use.
Everyone deserves to live a happy, fulfilling life. No one deserves to feel the need to shield their true identity or go without a safe environment. Therapy can provide you one example of a safe and secure environment and relationship in which to begin (or continue) to explore your sexuality and gender identities. Therapy can also often help you take the first steps in identifying other potential sources of support and supportive communities.
Gaining Pride in Your Identities
More than anything, you deserve to be proud of who you are. Our LGBTQ+ community has faced innumerable obstacles, but nonetheless we have flourished into a diverse, courageous, beautiful, and remarkable community nonetheless. You are part of this community, and you deserve to be proud. Being able to live as your true self is a wonderful gift! At Snowline Counseling, we are proud to identify as a part of the LGBTQ+ community and are committed to providing supportive services to our community members.
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If fear or lack of a supportive space has been holding you back from expressing yourself or exploring your identities, contact us for more information about therapy related to LGBTQ+ concerns.