On Being LGBTQIA+: Pride is a Protest...
But also a soft place to land
For many LGBTQIA+ people, Pride Month brings a mix of emotions.
Yes, it is a celebration of identity and progress, but it is also a protest. Our existence is still politicised, still questioned, and still unsafe in many spaces. This year, we are yet again reminded how necessary that protest is.
However, alongside that, Pride is something quieter, too. A soft place to land. A breath of relief. A space where we can just be. It's that feeling when you sit beside someone who gets it without having to explain. It's the first time you've worn something that actually feels like you. It's existing authentically and without apology.
The Mental Load of Identity
Being queer in today's world often feels like navigating a constant duality: the need to speak out and the instinct to stay safe; the desire to be seen and the urgency of survival; the joy of pride and the weight of ongoing pain.
Many LGBTQIA+ people carry an invisible weight. That weight might look like:
- Performing safety by toning yourself down
- Hiding parts of who you are to avoid rejection
- Battling anxiety, low self-esteem, or loneliness that stems from years of feeling "too much" and "not enough".
Even with everything that happens, there's a real strength in just getting through things, making your presence known, and letting people see you as you truly are, without holding back.
Healing Isn't Linear
You don't need to show up loudly to be valid.
You don't need to know exactly who you are yet.
You don't need to attend a Pride event or post a rainbow flag to be part of this.
What does matter, though, is that you honour what you need. Sometimes that will mean rest. Other times, it will mean rage.
And sometimes, it means therapy.
Why Affirming Therapy Matters for LGBTQIA+ Mental Health
Let's be honest: finding a therapist as a queer or gender-diverse person can feel like a gamble. Will they understand? Will I have to explain my identity? Will they pathologise it?
I've been there! Personally and professionally...
As someone who is LGBTQIA+ and works with many queer and neurodivergent people, I know the difference it makes when someone simply gets it. No awkward explanations. No assumptions. Just space to show up as your full and true self.
The truth is, LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and chronic stress. These are often rooted in discrimination, family rejection, and the pressure to mask or "fit in".
That's not because of who we are.... It's because of how we are treated.
That's why affirming therapy matters so much. It's not just about being accepted, it's about being understood without question. A good therapist will hold space for you and your identity. They will validate your lived experiences without making you relive trauma just to be believed.
Remember: you deserve support that meets you where you are, not where society thinks you "should" be.
You're Not Alone
Therapy offers a supportive space to explore your identity, navigate relationship complexities, address gender dysphoria, or simply find relief from the constant need to explain yourself. It can help you cultivate a stronger sense of self and feel more secure in who you are.
You deserve to receive support without feeling the need to minimise or hide aspects of yourself.
Final Thoughts
If Pride feels complicated, that makes sense. And it's okay.
You're not failing. You're not too sensitive. You're not asking too much. You're human!
Wherever you're at right now - marching, resting, grieving or celebrating - you belong here.
Pride is a protest.
It's also softness.
You deserve both.
Ready to talk?
Book a Free 20-minute Consultation
Further Support: