Category: LGBT Online Support

 I should start this blog by saying that I am not gay. I have no plans or intentions of becoming one, although I know that being gay is wonderful. I am a long-standing supporter of the LGBTQ+ community considering many people in love are a part. Every year, I would attend their parades, join some civic rallies for gender equality, and wait with everyone else for all the states to allow same-sex marriage.

For someone who has been around gay people for decades, I could say that the biggest misconception about them was that they were always happy. It won’t be difficult for others to deduce that since effeminate guys could be especially cheerful and “extra” wherever they go. Even if someone calls them names on the street, they would often ignore them and continue their merry way, thus creating the illusion that nothing could make them sad.

However, I met many gay men and women who used jokes and laughter to hide their depression. One famous example of that was the drag queens. More than the fame, money, and glamour, many of them started doing makeup and wearing extravagant clothes to escape reality and be someone else, even for a few hours. It would not always work, but they were still doing it to feel happy.

My best friend, who came out to me in high school, became depressed as she could not do the same thing to her parents. She tried many times over the years – for instance, she would comment about how cute those gay couples were together – but her folks would often act disgusted and say that they were lucky not to have a gay kid. It was hurtful, yes, but she did not want to cause a rift in the family because of her gender preference, so she chose to own her pain and hide for as long as possible.

When the LGBTQ+ organization I sponsored went to a hospice for gay people diagnosed with AIDS, I found out that almost all of them no longer talked to their loved ones. They were either ashamed to let them know about their disease or disowned by their family. After all, one of the oldest notions out there was that being gay and having sex with the same sex was the surefire way of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Since they could not change their families’ views, they ended up depressed in the hospice, waiting for their demise.

What is the number one cause of depression? 

According to studies, it is challenging to identify the primary cause of depression because two or more reasons often coincide. However, another research also suggests that 40% of it can be blamed on genetics, considering many people with depression have other relatives with the same disorder. The remaining 60% is a possible mixture of physical, emotional, mental abuse, stress, grief, and other issues.

What increases the risk of depression? 

Below are the factors that can increase your chances of getting depression:

• You are a woman. Studies suggest that women become more depressed than men because the former often experienced hormonal changes. That is especially true if you combine it with stressful events like losing a loved one, getting a divorce, etc.
• You have sociocultural issues. Feeling like you belong to the minority or earn less than what you deserve to get can be a risk of depression. After all, your self-esteem decreases, and you feel isolated from the rest of society.
• You feel misunderstood by everyone. That includes your parents, siblings, friends, and partner. When that happens, you always think you are alone in this world, which causes you to fall into depression.
• A loved one has been diagnosed with a mental disorder before. Having a mentally ill blood relative indicates that you are at a high risk of having a similar condition to others. However, it may not appear until something – or someone – triggers the symptoms.
• You are taking a medication that has depression as one of its side effects. This occurrence is more common than people realize. Depressive symptoms are typically experienced once the sedative properties of pain relievers and sleeping pills go away.
• A pre-existing mental disorder may comorbid with depression. In this case, the latter is possibly a result of dealing with the former. 

What causes long-term depression? 

A persistent depressive disorder is a long-term depression that any of the following can cause:

• Neurological imbalance
• Witnessing or experiencing traumatic events
• Being in a stressful situation all the time
• Existing mental disorder (e.g., anxiety, eating disorder, personality disorder, etc.)

Is long-term depression curable? 

No, long-term depression – or any form of depression, for that matter – is not curable. Scientists have been trying to find a cure for this mental disorder for decades, but they need more time to come up with one. On a positive note, there are effective ways to treat depression and make its symptoms manageable, such as:

• Taking antidepressants
• Getting therapy
• Joining support groups

What is the best medicine for depression? 

Any antidepressant categorized as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is ideal for depression. However, according to a 2017 study, Zoloft has been the most prescribed antidepressant during that year. It indicates how much psychiatrists believe in the product’s effectiveness. 

What drug is the happy pill? 

Prozac is known as a happy pill for depression. It is one of the most common antidepressants in the United States. Based on a 2017 study, 11% of their respondents find this drug effective. 

Despite the reported positive results of taking an antidepressant, people should understand that it is not recommended to continue the medication for years. You want to learn how to deal with your depression, not depend on drugs to make you happy. 

What is the best natural antidepressant? 

St. John’s wort is the best natural antidepressant at this time of writing. It is an herb that can be found in different parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Many people have reported feeling less depressed after consuming it regularly, even though it is not FDA-approved. While it is technically all-natural, you should still talk to a specialist before eating or brewing St. John’s wort, primarily if you are taking cancer medication or blood thinners.

What is the new treatment for depression? 

The newest treatment for depression comes in the form of Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT). This experimental treatment works by sending approximately 1,800 electrical pulses to the brain every session to calm the mind and stimulate new neural pathways.

According to the paper published by Stanford University, 19 out of the 21 participants who were initially depressed at the beginning of the study turned out to be in the non-depressive range in the end.

What can I do instead of taking antidepressants? 

In case you do not wish to take antidepressants, you can do the following:

• Look for a talk therapy that you are most comfortable with. The most common one is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which enables individuals to change their thought processes to improve their behavior. In case it does not work for you, you may try online psychotherapy, counseling, or interpersonal therapy.
• Start exercising more regularly. It does not mean that you need to sign up for a gym or CrossFit membership, considering doing so will most likely require you to exert too much effort on the program. Instead, allocate at least 30 minutes every for walking, swimming, running, jogging, biking, or whatever aerobic exercise you are into.
• Join local support groups. There should be at least one group that helps depressed people deal with their issues in your area. Otherwise, you can connect with them virtually.

Do plants help with depression? 

Yes, plants help people deal with their depression. Studies reveal that putting plants inside the house can reduce your stress level and physical discomfort – two of the many issues connected with the said mental disorder. However, they are yet to figure out what causes this effect.

How can I improve my mood naturally? 

• Eat omega-3-rich foods like salmon, walnuts, flax seeds, anchovies, etc. According to studies, omega-3 fatty acids can protect you from getting depression.
• Eat yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and other probiotic-rich foods. The reason is that probiotics are known to improve the signals that go in and out of the brain. The more healthy bacteria live in your gut, the lesser your chances are of feeling depressed.
• Eat quinoa, wheat, brown rice, millet, and other whole grains to obtain more B vitamins from your diet. Such nutrients can improve your brain function, lift your mood, and sharpen your learning skills.
• Have a nutritious meal every morning. Although there is not enough study to back the need for breakfast daily, many researchers claim that doing so lowers the possibility of getting depression.
• Add leafy greens to your diet every day. Dark-green vegetables are supposed to have many folates, which is essential for the production of happy hormones and less association with depression.
• Moderate your caffeine intake. It is understandable to want a cup of coffee as soon as you wake up, but it is not recommended to have it every hour of the day as it can make you nervous, anxious, and depressed.

What plant relieves stress?

Various plants are said to relieve stress, namely:

• Aloe Vera: The anti-inflammatory properties of this plant may lower your anxiety level.
• Chamomile: Drinking chamomile tea can reduce your inflammation and anxiety and increase your chances of sleeping well.
• Chrysanthemum: Drinking chrysanthemum tea can have a relaxing effect on the body.
• Gerbera: It is ideal for cleaning the benzene in the air, reducing your anxiety (and possibly preventing cancer).
• Jasmine: The tea or essential oil form of the jasmine plant effectively helps a person fall asleep peacefully.
• Lavender: Lavender oil is a safe, calming product that adults and babies can use for relaxation purposes.
• Peppermint: If you need to be mentally alert to reduce your frustrations, you can soak freshly chopped peppermint leaves in warm water and inhale their aroma.

Final Thoughts

The fact that I could not do much to help alleviate the depression of my brothers and sisters in the gay community had always saddened me. I wanted to do more for them, to make them feel loved all the time, but I couldn’t speak to every parent who refused to accept their kids’ gender preferences. All I can do now is a vow to continue supporting the LGBTQ+ community and encourage others to embrace gay people with open arms.

 

If you ask a transgender, lesbian, or gay man how they came out to their parents, the responses you will get do not fit for all. The luckiest of the bunch may say that it was as effortless as telling his folks that he’s set to pursue this or that career. However, the most exciting stories typically originate from the ones whose parents opposed – or will likely reject – their sexual preference.

Continue reading “Words Of Wisdom For Parents Who Dislike Their Kids For Being Queer”

Source: pixabay.com

A straight man like me who advocates for the rights of the members of the LGBT community is not unheard of. I have seen a lot of manly guys rescue a gay colleague from bullies, and their relationships are incredibly platonic. Some men take in the festivities during Pride Month. It’s not because they want to make fun the people who stand under the rainbow flag. Instead, it’s because they believe that being able to reveal one’s identity is a cause for celebration.

Now, the reality is that there are not many individuals who bully LGBT members out in public. Some restaurants may still not let crossdressers in while other public bathrooms don’t have a sign for a third sex, but they are getting lesser and lesser. What increases, though, is the number of people who show their aversion to queers online.

How Can Haters Do That?

The internet is comparable to a double-edged sword. On one side, it is extremely helpful. You can use it to conduct quick research or connect with your loved ones. On the other hand, it gives low-life individuals a chance to hate on others anonymously. After all, you can create multiple accounts on social media as long as you make different email addresses beforehand. They can then be used for the sole purpose of spreading meanness on gay people’s pages.

Source: pexels.com

 

How Can You Show Support To Your LGBT Friends Online?

It hurts for me to see homophobic posts coming from strangers or even the folks I know, even if they don’t pertain to me. In case you still haven’t caught on, it is a transparent form of cyberbullying. Reports reveal that the people who get bullied online have a higher likelihood of self-harming or, worse, committing suicide. So, if you want to save your LGBT friends from even thinking of doing so, you should do the following and more.

Dislike Bullying Comments

One reason why bullies do not stop posting hateful comments about gay people is that nobody stands up against them. Some get angry and curse them under their breath; others may run in private group chats or front of their friends and family members. However, it is sporadic to find someone who dislikes their actions in public.

What are you afraid of, if I may ask? You may say that you don’t want to pick a fight, but you are enabling the bullies by not doing anything at all. Considering you want to bring them back to the ground, you should not be scared of disagreeing with them on a public page.

Source: pexels.com

 

Spread Positive Information About The Community

From time to time, it is not wrong to share images, videos, or texts that show your support to the LGBT community. For instance, if you found an article about a gay man who does charity work everywhere, you should post that in your social media account. In case you witnessed the union of two of your lesbian friends, you should upload some photos from the wedding. As little as these activities may be, it becomes apparent to everyone that you are against homophobia.

Final Thoughts

Staying mum even when your friends get bullied online does not make you a supportive friend. It merely entails that you are saving yourself from potential bashers. If you genuinely want people to stop hating on the members of the LGBT community, you should advocate for them in public actively.

Cheers!

Same-sex marriage has already been legalized by all fifty states in America. It is one of the greatest triumphs of the LGBT community in New York so far, and it signals toward realizing a society that is free from irrational discrimination and hate. Indeed, in no time we can achieve a utopia where each one of us is treated equally and given the same opportunity to build our own homes, where same-sex couples can establish parenting identities like any other individual. They can express their compassion and unconditional love towards the person they love regardless of sexual orientation, and build a family with them.

Continue reading “Same-Sex Couples On Adoption In New York And New Jersey”

Being part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, collectively referred to as the LGBT community, can be a proud and empowering fact. Around 91 percent of LGBT members are not ashamed to be part of this community.

However, being part of the LGBT community can be very difficult at times due to the intense societal discrimination that they sometimes face. These difficulties can have an adverse impact on their mental well-being, and indeed they are more prone to psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. This article seeks to quantify the incidence of stress and depression in the LGBT community, identifies factors that contribute to this phenomenon, and suggests ways to counteract it.

Manifestations Of Stress And Depression

Source: pixabay.com

The incidence of stress and depression can be very high for the LGBT, with an incidence rate of around 30 to 60 percent that is 1.5 to 2.5 higher than that of non-LGBT members. The amount of stress that they receive can be enormous, and they are exposed to it whether they go. “overwhelm might manifest as an intense emotion, such as anxiety, anger or irritability; maladaptive thought process, such as worry, doubt or helplessness; and behavior, such as crying, lashing out or experiencing a panic attack.” That is according to Marla W. Deibler, PsyD. 

Around 37% of LGBT feel unsafe at school due to their gender expression, 55% have experienced verbal harassment, and 11% became the target of the physical assault. Meanwhile, LGBT members are frequently also targeted even by family members. There are severe cases that their own family kicked them out of the house. Evidence of this is the fact that around 40$ of homeless youth identify as part of the LGBT community.

“Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is now on the world stage.”  Michael Friedman Ph.D. emphasizes. Around 70% of the LGBT experience feelings of worthlessness, while approximately 95% have sleep problems due to stress. This report is can also be read on a website like whattoexpect.com. The amount of pressure they receive can damage their mental health, making them prone to more disorders. They have a higher incidence of drug use, risky behavior such as drunk driving, and suicide. As will be shown later, several factors contribute to the vulnerability of LGBT members to mental health disorders such as stress and depression.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Stressors For The LGBT

We all live in a heteronormative world. Most people still treat homosexuality as deviance from normal behavior instead of just a regular occurrence. Hence, many LGBT members feel that they are not normal or that there is something wrong with them. Also, many of them are still afraid to embrace their gender expression or sexual orientation.

They may also be afraid of how others would react if they come out. These fears are not unjustified given that the incidence of LGBT-targeted violence and isolation is common. In summary, they are experiencing confusion between expressing themselves and protecting themselves from the world. This mental tension can cause their mental health to suffer.

Providing Adequate Mental Healthcare

Source: flickr.com

“historically, the mental health and health field has been a huge place of discrimination for queer folks. And, sadly, that’s still the case,” Rena McDaniel, licensed clinical counselor said. However, all is not lost in ensuring that LGBT members receive adequate mental health care. LGBT members can be protected from mental health disorders. This is especially true if they have a good support system. They need a loving family and caring friends that will accept them fully and without judgment. They can also be provided a safe space to protect them from mentally damaging discrimination.

Social interaction with LGBT members can help forge their sense of identity and increase their confidence, knowing that they are with kindred souls. Finally, enabling easy access to professional mental health care providers can help them seek out therapy and counseling when they need it the most.

 

The LGBT community, more commonly known as the gay community, is a group that pertains to the gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexuals who have come together as an organization bound together by a common culture. These communities are comprised individuals who practice freedom by celebrating gay pride, individualism, and diversity through rallies, parades, and campaigns.

 

Gay villages, LGBT conformist groups, gay student organizations, and LGBT rights groups are considered part of the LGBT community, although not all LGBT individuals are not active participants and do not consider themselves a part of this community.

 

Like most men and women, there are also distinct LGBT individuals around the world who have made a difference one way or another. They have not only become famous for their unique appearances and personalities but also because of their ability to fight for their rights and excel in their careers of their current positions.

 

Here are some of the LGBT individuals/conformists/activists who have ignited change and made a name for themselves.

 

Ellen DeGeneres. Before she became the rich and famous TV show host that she is today, Ellen was ridiculed and lost her advertisements when she went public about her sexuality. In an interview a few years ago, she said she was so afraid to come out and let the world know that she was a lesbian, but she did – and in no less than her TV show!

 

 

Lynn Conway. Lynn Conway was an important property of IBM until she came out and spoke of her desire to become a female. IBM immediately fired her, a clearly biased move, which encouraged Conway to seek the help and support of the Board of Directors of the world’s biggest engineering professional society, the Institution of Electrical And Electronic Engineers. Her action was successful.

 

In 2014 a code of regulations and protections for transgender individuals was established. Conway was then included among the top transgender individuals who influenced the American culture by Time Magazine.

 

Laverne Cox. One of the stars in the popular series Orange is the New Black, Laverne continues her advocacy for the trans community, speaking about lesbians and gays around the world and how they are special and beautiful, just like everyone else.

 

Richard Isay. One of the headstrong and fierce gay activists in his time, Richard is remembered for charging a lawsuit against the American Psychoanalytic Association for discriminating LGBT individuals. After the deliberation, the association soon allowed lesbians and gays to train as analysts and in 1997 expressed its support for gay marriage.

 

Harvey Milk. The LGBT’s gay rights icon, Harvey was a politician and the first openly gay Mayor in San Francisco, California. He was also a visionary and a human rights activist. His battle for equal rights was short-lived, however, as he was assassinated a year after being elected. Various books and movies have been made about him, one being titled after his surname, “Milk,” which starred Sean Penn.

 

 

Janet Mock. Mock is a trans woman, an LGBT activist, and a bestselling writer. She is an advocate for equal rights of transgender individuals, especially black trans women. Her book “Redefining Realness” topped the New York Times at no. 19, and she continues to shine as an editor at Marie Claire, where it all started for her in 2011.

 

Although most countries have embraced the transgender community as part of their own, LGBT individuals still suffer from bullying and discrimination, leading to a large majority of them to experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. BetterHelp is a reliable website to find more information about mental illnesses. The stigma is undeniably still present but continues to fade as they make beautiful noise in their career and their personal lives.