Ashley, Beth, Peter and Mark are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and members of Our Personal Experience Network (OPEN). In this blog, they share their experiences of Pride Month and what it means to their mental health.
Pride Month is about acceptance, equality, and celebrating the work of LGBTQIA+ people – with parades and events all over the world. Pride Month can positively affect people's mental health by bringing LGBTQIA+ people together as a community and inspiring hope for the future, united in the movement for LGBTQIA+ rights and equality.
There are many diverse experiences of Pride Month, and we explore some of these experiences and how they intersect with mental health.
What is Pride Month?
Pride Month began with the Stonewall uprising of 1969 – protests in response to police raids in gay bars in New York. These events took place in the context of discrimination and persecution against the LGBTQIA+ community. The first UK Pride Rally took place a few years later in London.
Every June, Pride Month honours the history of Stonewall, and the activism it sparked that has pushed LGBTQIA+ rights forward.
“Pride is a protest and when you see those placards and chants fighting for equality, I feel part of a movement, built on the shoulders of activists.” - Peter
It is also a time of celebration, with spaces for LGBTQIA+ to come together in solidarity, joy and hope.
“It’s hugely helpful and empowering in validating recognition of queer lives supported by our allies in the LGBTQIA+ world." - Ashley.
For Mark, “It’s very important that Pride Month continues in the aims of not only being fun but has the serious and powerful message of what Pride is.
“It’s a celebration, but also a tribute to those who have gone before. I am 50, but there are many more who worked hard before myself to attain rights for the community to be who they are. So, I continue that tradition but also enjoy the wonderful party and celebration atmosphere.”
For Beth, the biggest benefit of Pride Month for the LGBTQIA+ community is “to unite together and remember they are never alone”.
The context of Pride Month and LGBTQIA+ mental health
When it comes to mental health, both the celebration and activism of Pride Month are important.
Discrimination and prejudice against LGBTQIA+ people are far from things of the past, and the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights are ongoing in the UK and across the world. Pride Month continues to be a catalyst for change, playing a vital role in the fight for LGBTQIA+ equality.
Ashley describes Pride Month as: “a joyous experience, combating social isolation and sometimes low self-esteem, and an antidote to homophobic and transphobic media and political stances.”
Beth says, “It saddens me that people are still homophobic and transphobic, but it helps to see rainbows everywhere.”
Peter shares, “I think it can be challenging time for many - as much as we’ve fought for our rights and equality, it’s very quickly weaponised against us. Many LGBTQIA+ people have code switch and dim their light for safety, particularly trans people who continue to face vile attacks from politicians and the media.
“I hope that it brings funding and profiling to vital spaces for LGBTQIA+ people. I still think there’s a lot of pinkwashing - turning your brand logo in to a rainbow doesn’t keep us safe. It’s policies, fair pay and challenging homophobia, biphobia and transphobia that’s truly going to liberate us. There’s also the awareness that by creating an inclusive culture you also uplift and empower the majority.”
If you’ve been affected by prejudice or discrimination as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, you’re not alone. Go to the bottom of this page to find information about where to find help.
How can Pride Month help the LGBTQIA+ community’s mental health?
Pride Month can play a big role in bringing together the LGBTQIA+ community in all its wonderful diversity.
Peter shares, “For a lot of people, Pride Month shows us that we have a community and that we’re not navigating the world in isolation. I hope it spotlights the diversity of our community and the grassroots organisations and spaces that allow us to come together. I learnt of a local LGBTQIA+ mental health charity when I first attended Brighton Pride and they really supported me through a rough period.”
For Beth, Pride Month “gives the community hope and solidarity for the future.” And for Ashley, “it helps to undo, somewhat at least, pervasive negative media and political output against our community.”
Mark says, “for many who are maybe not ‘out’ and struggling with their own sexuality or gender identity, it can be a tough time. We may want to think homophobia, biphobia or transphobia is a thing in our past, but it still is alive and there with people still uneducated and ignorant to the way people think the LGBTQIA+ community is. So, the month helps in a kind of solidarity for those still living in the closet.”
Pride Month, acceptance and allyship
Pride Month is first and foremost for the LGBTQIA+ community. But allyship is important, and Pride Month can play a role in this.
In Ashley’s experience, “families and allies equally participate empowering us all.”
And while Beth explains that some people can be judgmental, she also says:
“Often it helps to educate others about the community and what Pride represents.”
Being a good ally means: learning about important issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community; speaking up and calling out discrimination when you can; being there for the people in your life who need support.
Find out more about being a LGBTQIA+ ally: read the LGBT Foundation's guide, How to be a good trans ally, or the Stonewall Scotland guide, How to be a good LGBTQ+ ally at work.
Are there any ways that Pride Month might negatively affect the mental health of LGBTQIA+ people?
Everyone’s experience of Pride Month will be different. Pride Month may bring up difficult feelings if you’re not ‘out’, or if you’re struggling with your gender identity or sexuality. You might also be affected by prejudice conversations around Pride Month in the media, on social media, or where you go to school, university, work or socialise.
Beth shares, “there are sometimes protestors who want to dampen the spirits of our community - this only shows how much we need Pride month.”
Mark says, “It can be triggering in some ways of the times before I was fully out, also the times of abuse. However, it can also make my mental health become resolved and resolute to where we all have been and where we are going.
“We are not in that beautiful place of everyone accepting everyone we still have people who would hurt someone because of their identity, or for them just being who they are. I am always mindful of my approach to Pride Month, and I need to have that protection bell in my head to help me if my mental health is declining.”
For Peter, “it’s not the concept of Pride Month but the response across social media, the government and the opposition, and columnists that’s hurting us. There seems to be very little accountability or consequences for the transphobia and threats that are incessant.
“It’s not the responsibility of trans people to challenge this - I want to see more from charities and corporates that have unwavering support. It’s not a culture war - it’s about equity, dignity and respect.”
What three words would you use to describe Pride Month?
Finally, we asked Peter, Mark, Beth and Ashley to share the three words they would use to describe Pride Month. What would yours be?
"Empowering, joyous, enriching". - Ashley
"Fun, inspiring, wholesome." - Beth
"Remembrance, defiance, community." - Peter
"History, fun, tenacity." - Mark
Thank you to those who shared their voice and experiences.
LGBTQIA+ mental health support
If you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community, you may face difficult experiences, like discrimination and stigma, that can affect your mental health. We also know that there are lots of positive experiences with being LGBTQIA+ which can boost your mental health.
It may feel helpful to get support from an organisation with a deeper understanding of your experience as an LGBTQIA+ person. This doesn’t mean that other mental health services aren’t for you – as services should always be inclusive and welcoming.
Listening services, information and support for LGBTQIA+ people.
Call 0800 0119 100 - Open 10am-10pm every day
Mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people.
UK-wide mental health service database for local and national support. Includes a filter for LGBTQ+ support.
Advice, support and information for people identifying as LGBTQ+.
Call 03453 30 30 30 - Open between 9am-9pm on week days and between 10am-6pm on weekends.
Charity that supports people seeking asylum and refugees who are LGBTIQ+ and have African heritage.
Supports LGBTQ people aged 16-25 who are homeless or living in a hostile environment.
Call 0808 801 0400 - Open 9am-9pm Monday to Friday.
Supports gender-diverse young people aged 19 and under, and their families and carers. Offers a helpline and and webchat.
Online directory of qualified therapists who identify as or are understanding of minority sexual and gender identities.