THE HISTORY OF PRIDE AND THE BENEFITS OF LGBTQ THERAPY

1. THE HISTORY OF PRIDE AND THE BENEFITS OF LGBTQ+ THERAPY THE HISTORY OF PRIDE Pride celebrations are key to bringing about positive change for the LGBTQ+ community. WHAT IS PRIDE? Pride is an annual global event that is celebrated every June. From parades and concerts to workshops and exhibitions, Pride month events encourage LGBTQ+ people and allies to celebrate their genders and sexualities, discuss LGBTQ+ History and advocate for further change. Pride celebrations have grown and diversified since the first parades in the early 1970s. World Pride started in 2000 and now takes place in different global cities every year - in 2019, the World Pride in New York City was estimated to have hosted over 4 million people. Police reports from the first Pride parade held in New York suggest 2,000 attendees. WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY DID PRIDE START? Pride Month commemorates the June 1969 Stonewall Riots. The Stonewall Riots commenced on the 28th of June 1969 when the LGBTQ+ customers of New York City's Stonewall Inn resisted police raids on their bar. In the raid, two police officers entered the Stonewall Inn and demanded to verify each customer's sexualities by physical examination. What took place next is unclear. However, despite the lack of accurate reports, broader research by historians shows the LGBTQ+ community in New York had endured decades of raids and brutality at the hands of the NYC police's 'Public Moral Squad.' Historian research shows although the uprising at the Stonewall Inn was spontaneous, it stemmed from a long history of mistreatment of LGBTQ+ people in New York. The Stonewall Riots gave new momentum to the liberation movement. It's key to this movement to encourage conversations about the lives of LGBTQ+ people and how they are no different than any other is person. In addition, people need to understand why the fight for radical change for LGBTQ+ people is human rights. Brenda Howard, a bisexual activist, organized the first Pride event in New York City on the 28th of June 1970. The first march was called the Christopher Street Liberation Day March (the name of the road the Stonewall Inn is on), and the event had an element of celebration and

2. protest. Howard organized another event the following year in 1971, and Pride parades were soon established annually and worldwide. WHAT HAS THE PRIDE MOVEMENT ACHIEVED? Since the Stonewall Riots, the LGBTQ+ community has continued to fight for their rights and liberties. As a result, the community has successfully established human and political rights, such as marriage equality, in countries around the globe. Congratulations to Columbia, New Zealand, Iceland, and the UK for achieving basic human rights regardless of one's gender identity or sexuality. The Pride movement continues to fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the twenty-first century. For example, Serbian LGBTQ+ activists successfully held a 2014 Pride march in Belgrade after a long campaign for state support and protection. In addition, Denmark became the first European country to allow transgender people to hold official documents which reflect their gender identity in 2014. WHY IS THE HISTORY OF THE PRIDE MOVEMENT IMPORTANT TODAY? It's important to learn and remember those who fought for the right to celebrate Pride. Remembering that Pride started as a protest reminds us of how Pride today will continue the fight for inclusivity and the rights of LGBTQ+ people. 1. The LGBTQ+ activist charity Stonewall states that while 'there are lots for us to celebrate [...] there's also much more work to be done." Identifying as LGBTQ+ is illegal in 74 countries and punishable by death in 12. Moreover, former US President Donald Trump took large steps to roll back the protection of healthcare rights for transgender people, especially in the military. 2. Learning about how LGBTQ+ rights triumphed illustrates the importance of continuing to campaign for the rights of all LGBTQ+ people. Similarly, reflecting upon how the Pride movement began ensures that Pride month still honors and belongs to the LGBTQ+ community today. The involvement of businesses in Pride events is called 'commercialization.' 3. Historians have emphasized how lesbian and transgender people of color are a driving force in the Pride Movement. Large pride events can lose sight of their history. This knowledge of who inspired and fought in the Pride movement ensures Pride celebrations continue to honor those who fought for change, inclusivity, and celebration of everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. 4. Pride Movement history teaches us how, in the past, and sometimes today, LGBTQ+ people could not express themselves safely. Thus, the joy found at Pride events globally gives power and strength to the initiatives of the Pride movement. 5. The history of Pride and the Pride movement educates us about why Pride month exists and influences how people celebrate Pride in the present and future. Pride reminds us of the power of standing together in defiance of those who seek to divide us.

3. BENEFITS OF AN EXPERIENCED LGBTQ THERAPIST Therapy is a safe space where you can freely express yourself and your feelings without judgment. Having a therapist in your corner who can relate to the experiences you are going through will help with your development and have positive results in your therapy sessions. Members of the LGBTQ+ community benefit from having an experienced LGBTQ therapist. This type of therapist can either be a gay therapist, a community member, or have extensive experience counseling those within the community. Here we will explore some benefits of an LGBTQ therapist. LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS SEEK THERAPY AT A HIGHER RATE THAN NON-LGBTQ PEERS People will question, address, and face their own identity. For the LGBTQ+ community, that is especially true. As a result, LGBTQ individuals seek therapy more often than their non-LGBTQ counterparts. As an LGBTQ+ individual, you'll have experiences that are different from most people, for better and worse. These situations can be difficult to navigate. Between societal stigmas and discrimination, an experienced LGBTQ+ therapist can help you navigate challenging waters affecting your goals and dreams. AN LGBTQ+ THERAPIST CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR GENDER DYSPHORIA AND SEXUAL IDENTITY ISSUES Gender dysphasia is when a person has an overwhelming feeling of discomfort or distress related to the difference they feel between gender identity and sex assigned at birth. Unlike other therapists who might have read an article about gender dysphasia, experienced LGBTQ+ therapists understand how to help clients through their challenges. The same goes for sexual identity issues. Therefore, your LGBTQ+ therapist will have abundant knowledge to guide your counseling sessions. AFFIRMATIVE THERAPY AND EMPOWERMENT Affirmative therapy is a type of therapy that validates and advocates the needs of sexual and gender minority clients. This type of psychotherapy benefits clients facing gender and sexuality challenges because it is non- judge mental. HOW TO FIND AN LGBTQ THERAPIST If you are looking for an LGBTQ+ therapist, you can start by searching for an 'LGBTQ therapist near me.' From there, visit therapist profiles to see who may be a good match. Little Peace of Hafen has an experienced therapist that can help you become a better and more secure 'you.' You can visit the site to learn about Jay Hafen and his therapy methods.