Although a person’s gender identity, romantic or sexual orientation may not in itself be a source of distress, people who identify as gay, lesbian, queer, bisexual, transgender, asexual, or any other gender identity or orientation may feel stress from the stigmas in society that come with living as a minority.

LGBTQ discrimination comes in several forms, including verbal bullying, social rejection, and with repeated episodes often comes living with chronic stress.  Even perceived discrimination, the expectation of discrimination, real or imagined, with respect to employment, education, housing, and basic human rights can result in chronic stress.  Many of the life challenges and concerns LGBTQ people address in therapy are common among all people.   We’re all subject to the same daily stressors, such as workplace concerns, mood swings, or low self-esteem.   

Developing a healthy LGBTQ identity can come with its challenges, especially in high-stigma environments or without family support.  For some in the LGBTQ people, LGBTQ-related stress is sometimes compounded by stress from within the LGBTQ community itself.  

For example, there is research documenting there are prevailing authoritative norms within the gay male community surrounding body type, age, race/ethnicity, masculinity, and HIV status that possibly contribute to stress among gay men.  ( see: Sex, Status, Competition, and Exclusion: Intra-Minority Stress from Within the Gay Community and Gay and Bisexual Men’s Mental Health) 

There’s other research unearthing the roots of mental health and stress disparities between gender and sexual minorities and the general public as a function of anti-LGBTQ stigma and prejudice. ( see: Prejudice, Social Stress, and Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: Conceptual Issues and Research Evidence).

Both of these studies offer frameworks lending insight to many seldom-studied aspects of gay life that cause stress and shape mental health.  My goal as a therapist is to continually learn and better understand all kinds of stressors LGBTQ people face (both within and outside of the LGBTQ community) in order best serve this community of which I am proudly a part of.  

Next Steps To Reduce Stress

Given the stressors LGBTQ people confront daily, such as coming out, societal discrimination and prejudice, plus managing family relationships, a therapist that is openly LGBTQ can offer unique insight, support and healing.  Whether for issues connected to one’s  gender identity, sexual or romantic orientation, when seeking therapy for concerns related to mental health, finding a credentialed professional with familiarity and experience with the challenges of the LGBTQ community can be critical to successful therapeutic outcomes.  Click below to visit my page on all matters ‘stress’ and the therapeutic services I offer.

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