Pride Month 2021
Pride Month is celebrated in many countries including the UK during June of each year, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots.
This Pride month and beyond, Bath Mind stands with the LGBTIQ+ community, allying with equal rights and acceptance for all, every month of the year.
Those of us who identify as LGBTIQ+ are more likely to experience a mental health problem. For many, the COVID-19 pandemic may have made things more difficult. Those of us who identify as LGBTIQ+ are more likely to develop problems like:
However, being LGBTIQ+ does not cause these problems. The reasons why those of us with LGBTIQ+ identities are more likely to experience a mental health problem are complicated. But it may be linked to LGBTIQ+ specific experiences, such as:
- Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia
- Stigma and discrimination
- Difficult experiences of coming out
- Social isolation, exclusion and rejection
Bath Mind’s service are open to all, and can be accessed by anyone looking for support with their mental health. To understand how Bath Mind can support you, head to What We Do. Please be aware that Bath Mind services are open and inclusive of all, no matter your sexuality or gender identity.
If you’re looking for further resources on support and allyship this Pride month and beyond, take a look at our resource section below:
Resources for LGBTIQ+ People
- Mind’s information page on support for LGBTIQ+ identifying people
- Mindline Trans+, a national confidential, emotional, mental health support helpline for people who identify as Transgender, Agender, Gender Fluid, Non-binary or figuring out gender identity.
- Consortium’s directory of LGBTIQ+ specific resources and support
- Pinktherapy directory on LGBTIQ+ specific counselling and therapy (please note that this is private sector, not accessible to everyone), also have training for people working with LGBTIQ+ people
- Switchboard, a LGBTIQ+ specific helpline and online chat (all phone volunteers identify as LGBTIQ+)
- Stonewall Infoline
- Imaan is a charity that supports LGBTIQ+ Muslims, providing an online forum where people can share experiences and ask for help
Resources for allies
- Stonewall glossary of definitions of gender and sexual expression
- Becoming an active LGBTQ+ ally by Stonewall
- Pride and Joy, 10 Ways to be an Active Ally BBC Sounds Episode
- How to support someone who has come out to you
- Using Gender Pronouns – “For most, their singular and visible gender identity is a privilege. Not everybody has this privilege; those that are referred to with the wrong pronoun can feel disrespected, invalidated, and alienated.”
- Mindline Trans+ also support family members and friends and provide signposting to other services and resources.
- Mind’s supporting someone who is LGBTIQ+
- Stonewalls ‘Becoming an Active Ally‘ article with tips on how to be a good ally – ‘To be an LGBT ally is easy. If you agree in equality and fair treatment in society of people who identify as LGBT then already you are an ally.’
Posted on: 7th June 2021
