4 Benefits of connecting with your community, especially if you’re LGBTQ+

Internalized homophobia happens when people have been taught, sometimes subliminally, that being LGBTQ+ is bad, immoral, or wrong. This often leads to mental distress and hatred of oneself. However, being able to connect with the community you are a part of can teach you that you are not alone in feeling this way. You can’t change someone else’s behavior, but you can change how you let it affect you. Sadly, the world isn’t fully accepting yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fully accept yourself, especially with the help of your community. Here are 4 reasons why connecting with your community is important:

1 - Become more informed

By learning more about our community, you can help protect yourself and others, mentally and physically. A 2015 study found that only 12% of participants had sex education classes that covered same-sex relationships, while another study published in 2019 found that exposure to inclusive sex education is directly related to reduced suicidal thoughts amongst youth. Connecting with your community will help you gain resources and an education that directly relates to you. Not only will this help yourself, but it can also be beneficial to those around you who lack proper sex education. Doing this can help spread useful and positive information that is important to the community’s well-being.

Other sources of misinformation come from out-dated ideas that are still believed to this day. Some of these “myths” include that homosexuality can be “cured”, that homosexuality is “abnormal”, or that homosexuality is contagious. None of these things are true, but a lot of the time people don’t have anyone to teach them anything different. By reaching out to your community and learning the truth, you can help stop the spread of these harmful ideas and make yourself and your community more safe.

2 - Have a support system

Did you know that in some parts of the country, being LGBTQ+ can be dangerous? A national survey conducted by the HRC showed that only 24% of LGBTQ+ people feel safe being LGBTQ+ at home and 26% feel safe being LGBTQ+ in school. Let’s be honest, schools don’t provide us with the support we need when it comes to bullying and discrimination, and with the lack of anti-conversion laws in the U.S., it’s extremely important to have a support system you can rely on. There are many in-person pride centers, drop in centers, and shelters across the U.S. However, for some it can be difficult to access these resources. Finding an online community, even if it’s just to talk to about how you’re feeling, is crucial in caring for your mental well-being.

3 - Feel less isolated

A lot of the time, feeling isolated can come from your surroundings; a lack of understanding, name calling, or a person themselves isolating from people around them out of fear. It may feel like it, but something you need to know is that you are not alone. (In fact, 98% of respondents in a 2019 The Trevor Project survey expressed interest in a networking site for LGBTQ+ people). Many people in the LGBTQ+ community have experienced or still experience stuff like this. Experiencing things like this can be traumatizing and can lead to internalization, but that’s why it’s important to talk about it. You may not feel comfortable talking about it to the people around you, but that’s why it’s so important to connect with a community of other people who you will feel comfortable talking to.

4 - Build connections

One of the best parts of being a part of a community is the friendships that come along with it. Having someone with shared experiences to converse, laugh, and share with is extremely emotionally stimulating and healthy. A study conducted by The Trevor Project found that LGBTQ+ people who have at least one person supporting them are 0.5 times as likely to attempt suicide as someone who doesn’t. So be that person for someone, or find that person for you through becoming a part of and being active in your community.

Being LGBTQ+ in today’s world is still a struggle, but it’s easier when you have people to rely on, share with, and learn from. Getting more involved with your community can provide all these benefits and more, so connect with yours today.

Haven is a developing virtual pride center aimed at providing young LGBTQ+ people with a community at their fingertips. The founders of Haven come from a place of love, understanding, and commitment. Haven is a community founded by young LGBTQ+ people for LGBTQ+ people. Checkout our website, havenvpc.org, and follow us on Instagram @haven.vpc for updates on our journey.

Haven is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. You can email us at havenvpc@gmail.com.