Battered and Bruised: Being LGBTQ in a Conservative State

photo credit - Ian Taylor

Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community while living in a conservative state/community can feel like walking through a hail storm. On a daily basis, you are pelted with political stances, business advertisements and general attitudes of the public and even family that condemn your identity, and invalidate your feelings. These experiences can be traumatic and have a lasting effect on your mental well-being.

Specific Trauma Related to the LGBTQ+ Community

The specific trauma that LGBTQ+ persons face in Texas can make an already difficult life unbearable. In Texas, these individuals are faced with bullying, harassment, discrimination in housing, healthcare, employment; creating an environment of fear, anxiety and resentment. These different instances are coupled with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, family rejection, and lack of adequate mental health resources and trauma-informed support systems for LGBTQ+ individuals in Texas; further exacerbates the impact of trauma.

Mental Health Climate of LGBTQ+ Persons in Texas

In 2024, The Trevor Project conducted a survey across the United States in an effort to capture the experiences and data in relation to the general mental health and well – being of LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13 – 24). The data is as follows:

• Suicide – 42% of LGBTQ+ young people in Texas seriously considered suicide in the past year, including 49% of transgender and nonbinary young people; 13% had attempted in the past year, including 16% of transgender and 42 nonbinary young people.

• Anxiety and Depression – 66% of LGBTQ+ young people in Texas reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety, including 70% of transgender and nonbinary young people. 55% of LGBTQ+ young people in Texas reported experiencing symptoms of depression, including 60% of transgender and 66 nonbinary young people.

Source - The Trevor Project - www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024-by-state

Aside from the statistics listed above, there are other consequences to the lack of support and care for persons in the LGBTQ+ community. Increased risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an increased risk of substance use and homelessness are also traumatic experiences that should be considered.

How Therapy Can Help

Providing trauma-informed care in therapy is crucial for supporting LGBTQ+ individuals. Culturally competent therapists and support groups can help to process the traumatic experiences faced by this community by providing a safe space for these feelings by individuals impacted and connecting them to others in their community for support. If you or someone you know has experienced any of this and are curious about how to move forward. Reach out…