Valentine’s day, a day to spread love, care, and affection with your significant one, or the person you loved the most! But what about the LGBTQ, who are still craving for their acceptance, for them the air is still seething with hatred, and even the doors are still closed.
Unfortunately, Valentine’s Day is a complicated holiday to navigate for the LGBT community. Societally, there is still an outsized emphasis on heteronormative standards of relationships, sex, and romantic love. For people in the LGBT community, Valentine’s Day and the larger representation of it are often made to feel at odds with mainstream society and their judgements.
The day is remarkable for love, no matter whoever the person is but we can still love them irrespective of their gender, as we have that liberty. So, why can we make them feel left out or odd one out.
How about sharing love with them, or celebrating love with them
Considerably, there are serious issues that need to be addressed, and these people still face today. Those within the LGBT community are more than two times likely to have a mental health condition than straight people. They are also at a higher risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts than the general population — and queer youth are five times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight counterparts due to bullying, harassing, and other forms of discrimination they face. On the whole, Valentine’s Day does not help in fighting the day-to-day inequalities.
We can still do our part, Here’s discussing the ways to do the same
One way to give back to local LGBT community — and to show a little love to those who may be experiencing a hard time — is volunteering at a queer center in your area. To locate a site in your state go here.
Shopping at queer-owned businesses is one way to directly support the community as well. Find out such places, and make them feel comfortable, share your past experiences with them, your bundle of joys and make them feel overwhelmed.
You can donate to a cause that helps LGBT youth and the community at large such as G.L.A.A.D., the National Youth Advocacy Coalition, the Human Rights Campaign, and GLSEN. Volunteering at an organization that benefits the community is a great way to demonstrate your support.
Simply trying to show up for those in your life who are queer-identified and making them feel heard and acknowledged is important. Show your support for your queer friends by making them a Valentine, checking in with them, spending time with them, and supporting their endeavors.
