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Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember21 Sept 2020, 3:01 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Many lesbian, gay, bi, queer, trans and intersex (LGBTQIA+) community members live fulfilling and functional lives ❤️💛💚💙💜 However, studies have found that those in the LGBTQIA+ community face up to twice as much abuse or violence (including physical, mental, sexual or emotional) than their heterosexual counterparts. There is a cumulutive affect which increases the risk of mental health issues on top of social, environmental and psychological factors which can lead to an increase in both depression and anxiety.

Despite this, there are options for LGBTQIA+ people as well as supportive communities (such as our forum) who are here to hold space and advocate for non-heterosexual people as they need. Please join myself and our wonderful forum moderator & SANE Help Centre counsellor @Jynx as we discuss issues surrounding mental health and LGBTQIA+. We look forward to hearing all of your insight and coming up with some ideas on how to tackle stigma in the process

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117 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember29 Sept 2020, 7:27 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Hi there @Adge thank you so much for sharing this. Apologies I should preface absolutely everyone is welcome in this conversation. You're safe and welcomed in this chat

Thank you for sharing you identify as trans-female inside but are physically and socially male. It sounds like you have deep awareness and a long journey with this. I just want you to know we are always here to listen - feel free to chat some more tonight or start a thread when you're less tired. This forum is a safe space and we celebrate and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. Sitting with you 🌸

In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

ethSenior Contributor29 Sept 2020, 7:28 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Hi @Adge my old friend. Thankyou for your brave sharing here.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember29 Sept 2020, 7:28 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

@Adge

I feel with you. I'm in your age group.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

JynxModerator29 Sept 2020, 7:28 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

@Fluttershy1 Amazing that you've come to this realisation, I hope it brings you relief to know more about who you are. You're right, it's totally normal to be LGBTQAI!! It's the most natural thing in the world. It can be really hard when we're part of a cis-heteronormative society, where one way of being is considered 'default'.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember29 Sept 2020, 7:30 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

@Former-Member Short answer re: sub forum. Yes I think there's absolute potential for a space dedicated to LGBTQIA+ within the SANE Community. We actually have some brainstorming happening around this now within the team - but would love to hear any/as many of your ideas via team@saneforums.org too @Former-Member 🏳️‍🌈

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

AdgeSenior Contributor29 Sept 2020, 7:32 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Thanks @Former-Member @eth

In answer to previous question - Social isolation & Stigma (even fear of violence), are major impacts on MH for Trans-identified people.

Possibly similar for others also.

Adge

In response to: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

JynxModerator29 Sept 2020, 7:32 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Hey @Adge - funny thing is that I've always 'read' you as female! Thanks for sharing. And in my opinion, it's never too late to begin your journey, if you want to take it. It's yours of course, so you do what is right for you.

In my experience, the trans community is one of the most caring and welcoming groups of people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember29 Sept 2020, 7:32 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

That's great @Former-Member 😃

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Unknown userMember29 Sept 2020, 7:33 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

@Jynx

I get the gender-floaty as well, maybe not from a gender perspective but because I have some dissasociative issues going through shifts in how I feel is kind of "normal" and it's highlighted how you can be a lot of different parts and be whole at the same time.

Will say though in terms of sexuality it's been a positive journey, I actually got "threatened" about being outed as a lesbian when I was younger and was petrified about it...now I honestly think I'd just laugh in their face but I do remember feeling very concerned about fitting in before I had a better idea that people identify in so many different ways - hopefully it's better for kids these days

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

Fluttershy1Senior Contributor29 Sept 2020, 7:33 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // LGBTQIA+ & Mental Health // Tues 29th September, 7-8:30PM AEST

@Jynx - I feel so guilty for being non binary and not being able to come out to my family because I know they won't accept me for being non binary and being bisexual.....

I'm afraid of telling anyone who I actually am because I have a feeling they will judge me for who I am...

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