September is for celebrating… (no, not the return of school)….
Bi+ Visibility Day on September 23!
(For those of you wondering, “Bi+” includes bisexual, pansexual, and non-monosexual identities.)
Even better than a single day of celebration? That whole week is Bi+ Visibility Week!
(Shameless plug: As member of the Los Angeles Bisexual Task Force board of directors, we’re going live on IG with the @labitaskforce on the 24th.)
But let’s talk about this whole visibility thing. Why do we need a Bi+ visibility day? And come to think of it, why do we need any sort of LGBTQ+ pride parades, rainbow flags, or any sort of celebration in the first place? A common argument made against visible Pride is, “If you don’t want to be discriminated against for your sexuality or gender identity, then don’t make such a big deal about it!” Funny enough, this argument is most often made by people who don’t identify as a part of that community to begin with...
Unfortunately, If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you’ve likely experienced a fair share of hardships throughout your life.
Whether it’s discrimination, slurs, lack of acceptance, or hate crimes, queer people as a whole have experienced an incredibly unfair and challenging history spanning centuries. There are a few bright spots in history of exalting queer and gender nonconforming people across a variety of cultures, including in India, the Phillippines, and throughout Africa. But there is still potent anti-queerness throughout the colonized world rooted in the past.
After decades of fighting for visibility and equality, the LGBTQ+ community has come a long way. However, just because we’ve come a long way, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a long journey ahead. Despite the positive strides society has made, visibility and representation are still huge issues that very much affect the mental health of members within the community. And if you’re a member or ally of the community, you’ve probably seen or experienced this firsthand.
A Very Quick Brief Simplified Overview of History and Visibility in the LGBTQ+ Community
Even just a few decades ago, LGBTQ+ individuals had very few rights. Seriously, like NOTHING. If you were gay, bisexual, transgender, or any other part of the community throughout most of the 20th century, there were few people to trust besides other people who identified the same way. This has led the LGBTQ+ community to continually grow over the last century, banding together to demand visibility, representation, and equal rights.
While the LGBTQ+ community may have come a long way now in 2020, there is still a huge amount of discrimination that exists presently. There are people who ask why there needs to be celebrations or a parade for the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their identities.
The answer is simple: Until we don’t need a parade, we’re going to have one.
Showcasing something that has been hidden or disgraced for generations encourages ownership of identity, a sense of community, and a statement of dignity. Parades, flags, accessories, or anything that shows that level of pride in something hidden for a long time are necessary for counteracting the shame and degradation that queer people have been fighting against.
Having pride in an identity that many people have belittled and discriminated against is a sign of rejecting that discrimination. When you reject those messages (whether it’s through an enamel pin or a whole parade), it helps separate internalized phobia against yourself and makes room for mental wellness.
“Flamboyance” is a celebratory display of confidence. And while the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t feel safe enough to live openly, the parades are here to stay.
Why Is LGBTQ+ Visibility Important?
If you are queer, trans, gay, bisexual, or any other identity on the gender and sexuality spectrum, there is a chance you recognized this at a vulnerable age. Many young or newly open queer people of any age have a difficult time coming to terms with their identities out of fear:
What if my family and friends don’t accept me?
What if society makes me feel like I don’t belong?
What if something happens to me because of my identity?
These fears are genuine — and that’s why visibility and representation are so crucial.
Looking back at history, you know that our society has not been kind to LGBTQ+ people. Even in 2020, for many people the community is the only safe space they have. So if a young person is questioning their sexuality, having a role model may help them become comfortable and proud of their identity. This allows them to feel recognized and supports their self-esteem.
But how are young people supposed to find role models if they can’t see them? Without this representation, LGBTQ+ people may hide or reject their identities because they feel alone and fear they won’t find acceptance.
How a Lack of Visibility Affects Mental Health
Unfortunately, members of the LGBTQ+ community are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues. When you have to go through life fearing judgment and discrimination, it takes a serious toll on your mental well-being. Furthermore, if LGBTQ+ members don’t have a community to fall back on, the isolation and loneliness can lead to a dangerous feeling of depression.
Nobody deserves to face that alone.
When there is visibility and representation, LGBTQ+ people know there is a safe space of acceptance. There is a place for self-expression, community, and love. And there’s no membership requirement or standard for entry here. Even if you aren’t ready to fully express your sexuality or are still defining your gender identity, knowing that there is a community that will support you when you’re ready is essential.
The Fight Is Far From Over
The fight for LGBTQ+ rights has seen great strides over the last few decades, especially with social media allowing people to connect in new ways. But more representation also means more people can publicly question the LGBTQ+ community or why Pride is important and still exists.
LGBTQ+ visibility is more crucial now than ever.
Pride will continue as long as discrimination, hate crimes, unjust laws, and lack of acceptance exist. The LGBTQ+ community will not be silenced or settle for unfair treatment — and you should never be ashamed for wanting anything less than absolute equality.
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If you have been struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. But always know that you don’t need to hide your identity or struggles. Never be ashamed of who you are and how hard you’ve fought to get here.
It’s not easy to exist in a society that doesn’t fully accept you, but there are resources to help get you through it and become stronger than ever. You may want to consider therapy as a source of support and healing while you find your community and your place in the world.
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Prospect Therapy is an LGBTQ+ affirming therapy practice based in Long Beach, CA. We focus on queer + trans mental health as well as mental health for first-generation, immigrant, and bicultural communities. We continue to provide online therapy to clients throughout the state of California. Learn more about how we support individuals, teens, couples, and families in our communities by requesting a consultation below.