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

Want to receive a reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below.

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I'm new here - what is this?

The event runs from 7pm - 8.30pm AEST on the 25th of August. Each month we focus on a different topic, with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Our text-based event takes place right here! As it is text-based, no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the newest comments (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye out for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post. We recommend using a desktop computer or laptop for the event for overall ease of use .

Throughout the session, the facilitator will post questions for you to answer, usually asking for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the event, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong, and everyone is welcome to get involved!

What time does this event start in my timezone?

  • AEST- 7pm
  • ACDT- 6:30pm
  • ACST- 5:30pm
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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

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

Hi @Rebel welcome and thank you so much for sharing. You touch on some really important points. I do see a theme in low self worth in people navigating within minority groups, I think we have to work a bit harder at keeping our self-compassion levels high. I just want to give you huge props for mentioning "hetero-norm" and "homo-norm". I have been incredibly frustrated at similar, even being on dates and being told I wasn't "butch" enough, and at other times "not femme enough". Can't win sometimes! I am lucky I eventually met my partner and none of these labels or expectations have been placed on either of us but wow, what a journey it is 🙂 Thank you for sharing this and please know our community is here to listen and support you in your experience

It's unreal to think to be gay was once illegal, very dark times.

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

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

Thanks eth

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

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

@Former-Member @Jynx @Former-Member @Schitzo @Adge @Former-Member @eth and everyone. 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

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

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

@Fluttershy1im worried about that too

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

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

Since @Maggie has said Hi, I will too 🙂

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

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

Hey @Former-Member @Adge and everyone else - I'm happy to talk about this 'stuff' any time, I encourage you to reach out to me. I'm usually around the A long rave thread during the week or the Saturday Soiree - all welcome!! most Saturdays. I'm a safe ally.

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

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

@Former-Member welcome! Agreed I do hope it is easier for young people in the current climate. I do hear there's still issues in some rural areas but hopefully we are half way there.

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

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


@Adge wrote:

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


Yeah it's so unfortunate how ostracised we are. I have the privelege of 'passing' (which means that people see me as female, even though I'm not) meaning that I am not usually the target of transphobic violence. I get misgendered all the time which is its own struggle, but I know that MH issues, suicidality, and being targeted for violence and discrimination are all much higher for trans people.

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

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

Hi @NatureLover and @Maggie 👋

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

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

Welcome @NatureLover and @Maggie !!! Good to see you both.

Ok wow, huge amounts of incredible info coming from everyone. Thanks so much each of you for sharing and being so authentic in the process

Let's move onto Question 2...

Since marriage equality in Australia, many people are not aware there are still issues the LGBTQIA+ community faces in terms of stigma. Can anyone think of or share some examples of issues LGBTQIA+ folk, (or other minorities) have to contend with that the rest of society does not?

@eth @Former-Member @Rebel @Fluttershy1 and others 🙂

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