How Can I Thrive in a World that I Think Hates Me?
A Dialectical Approach to LGBTQ Identities in a Time of Great Division
What are Dialectics?
In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), dialectics emphasizes accepting who you are now while also working to improve yourself. This means recognizing your feelings and actions without judgment, while also taking steps to create positive changes in your life. It involves thinking from multiple viewpoints and understanding that opposing ideas can exist together, leading to a deeper understanding of complex issues and fostering empathy in relationships. Dialectics promotes a balanced approach to avoid extremes, encouraging emotional regulation and stability. It advises against black-and-white thinking, urging individuals to find reasonable compromises that acknowledge all sides of a situation.
LGBTQ Identities
The LGBTQ+ community faces stigma and discrimination, resulting in family and community rejection, microaggressions, and violence. Many countries lack laws protecting LGBTQ+ rights, and same-sex relationships or gender transitions can be criminalized. This leads to job and healthcare discrimination, making access to necessary treatments difficult, especially for transgender individuals needing health services like hormone therapy. Inadequate sex education raises STI risks, while social rejection exacerbates mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, disrupting work and relationships. In schools, LGBTQ+ students encounter bullying and inadequate safety measures, often facing insufficient support and teacher training. Coming out can be challenging; while some families are supportive, others may reject their loved ones, causing emotional distress and contributing to homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth.
Current Political/Social Landscape
Last year, over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures, and 84 became laws. In 2024, more than 475 similar bills have been proposed. Non-discrimination laws prevent LGBTQ individuals from being denied health insurance for procedures linked to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Laws against denying healthcare for transgender issues help guarantee coverage. Some states have enacted laws that support insurance for gender-affirming treatments, including talk therapy, hormone therapy, and, in rare cases, surgery. Current political discussions are often divided and extreme, leading many to feel isolated and afraid. LGBTQ individuals groups can feel like “others’ in a divisive landscape, contributing to misinformation and a “fight or flight” syndrome.
