Love Not Hate - Sophisticated And Scrappy

Growing up, I did not know anyone who was Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (LGBTQ+). During college I worked at a Girl Scout summer camp and although I gathered that several female coworkers were attracted to women and I knew the definition of homosexuality, I didn’t have any understanding what it really meant to be anything but heterosexual.

My familiarity and knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community has grown over the years, and I am proud to call several members of the community my dear friends. Today is the final day of Pride Month so let’s talk about the community and LGBTQ+ mental health in a science-backed snippet.

Identity is Not a Choice

For those new to learning about the LGBTQ+ community, the idea that sexual orientation is a choice has been debunked by science. Researchers describe numerous biological, cultural, developmental, environmental, social, hormonal, and genetic factors that influence sexual attraction. Scientific research also indicates gender identity, to include being transgender, is shaped by biological influences such as prenatal hormone levels, among other developmental factors.

Further, sexual orientation and gender identity are on respective continuums (neither are singular or binary) and can be fluid, meaning they can (not will) shift over time. If history is more your speed, numerous ancient and modern cultures worldwide, including Native American groups indigenous to the United States, have words, cultural practices, and identities innate to their societies that reflect the multiple sexual orientations and genders of its members.

Mental Health is Political

As vibrant and worthy as LGBTQ+ community members are, no one joins the club for fun. There are real and life-threatening consequences of openly identifying as LGBTQ+ in the United States and around the world. Hate crimes against the community in the United States increased 70% between 2020 and 2021. At least 508 anti-LGBTQ+ laws were filed in the United States in 2023, with 84 passing.

Nearly 1 in 3 LGBTQ young people said their mental health was poor, most of the time or almost always, due to anti-LGBTQ policies and legislation. Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual adults are two times more likely than heterosexual peers to experience a mental illness, and three times more likely to experience a serious mental illness. Sadly, LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers.

Bottom line: Love Not Hate

Hot Take: Heteronormativity and cisnormativity are Western, patriarchal constructs

Thank you for reading. To apply this Science-Backed Sunday Snippet, reflect on the three S’s below:

See: Examine your upbringing. What ideas, people, experiences, and/or organizations influenced what or how you learned about sexuality and gender?

Suppose: Reflect and be curious. Read books, watch movies, and/or listen to podcasts that center the LGBTQ+ community and experiences. Connect with others as applicable.

Switch: What can you start, stop, or continue doing to support the LGBTQ+ community where you live? LGBTQ+ youth have much lower rates of suicide attempts when they live in a community that is accepting of LGBTQ+ people.