Pride: Fostering a Community of Love and Belonging

‘Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect.’

— Brené Brown

June is widely celebrated as Pride Month to commemorate the ongoing pursuit of equal rights for individuals belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community. Though this struggle for equality has been present for decades before, the movement as we know it today is often said to have begun as a result of police raids at the Stonewall Inn, a well-known gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York. While mistreatment was commonplace for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, this particular day, in the early morning hours of 28 June 1969, the community rioted. The movement gained momentum and was treated not only as a protest but also as an outward celebration of the diverse identities that had so far been shunned into the closet. 

L Craig Schoonmaker, who suggested that the movement be called Pride, said, 'A lot of people were very repressed, they were conflicted internally and did not know how to come out and be proud. That is how the movement was most useful, because they thought, maybe I should be proud.' And it is the social stigma around sexuality and homophobia that makes individuals within the community repress their identities and feel shameful. This internal conflict that Schoonmaker speaks of along with discrimination, harassment and isolation faced by individuals leaves them vulnerable to mental health challenges. 

Pamela Lannutti, professor and director of the Center for Human Sexuality Studies at Widener University, pointed out that minority stress is a common experience for LGBTQIA+ individuals and has been found to harm one’s well-being. 'Minority stress is a chronic psychological stress experienced because a person is part of a stigmatised group,' she explained.

Many studies over the years have found that individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community are at a greater risk for substance abuse, anxiety, depression and many other mental health struggles. The Trevor Project, a non-profit organisation, conducted a survey in which they found that in the past two weeks, 72% of the participants experienced symptoms of anxiety and 62% reported symptoms of depression. The survey also revealed that 42% had seriously considered attempting suicide. 

The lack of acceptance of these individuals pushes them to socially isolate, which can also be detrimental to their well-being. It is here that the importance of Pride comes in. LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies alike can find accepting folks, form connections and create a safe space where they can seek support when needed. Pride fosters a sense of community by countering marginalisation and giving those who may be struggling with their gender identity or sexuality a sense of belonging. Though one may not see the inherent connection of these factors to mental health at first glance, a 2019 study found that individuals who report more connectedness to the LGBTQIA+ community were less likely to report suicidal behaviour. After all, as Brené Brown’s quote says, with a sense of love and belonging, one dares to be themselves, and with a support system comes the freedom to do so.

NOTE: This article was originally written for The Mind Garden.