June is PRIDE month – a beautiful month-long celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and the struggles overcome along the way. It’s full of rainbows, brightly colored parades, and a slew of gender-affirming tv shows and movies. In some cities, being “out” is welcomed, with colorful crosswalks, drag events, and an open invitation to be yourself.
However, we know that the entire world isn’t accepting, and there can be some really cruel people who have no problem saying something offensive, either in-person or even more commonly, online in social media.
At Mindwell Urgent Care, we are here to support and affirm your choices through our extensive mental health services, both in-person in Dallas and online through tele-psychiatry across Texas, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Florida, and Kansas.
We’d like to offer some guidance if you do encounter negative comments about yourself, your friends, or others during PRIDE month.
Walk Away
This sounds simple, but it’s really not. If you’re in public with friends, your partner, or even by yourself and someone calls you a derogatory slur or makes a comment they think is funny, we encourage you to stand tall and keep walking. Don’t let someone else’s ignorance ruin your night. We do realize, though, that some aggressors will not leave you alone. They may follow you and continue to taunt you, especially if they are in a group or intoxicated. This is when you need to rely on your friends to help you keep moving away from them. If you’re alone, try to make eye contact with someone else who can help you, even if it’s just to walk with you another block.
Fake a Phone Call
If you are being harassed by someone in-person, grab your phone and pretend your dad just called, keep talking and walk away, even if that involves having a full-blown conversation with yourself for 10 minutes. Hopefully the negative person will get the hint and walk away.
Online Negativity
Sometimes the online words hurt the most because they’re trying to insult you and break you down based on a photo or reel of you having a fantastic time. They may say that you’re wrong to even think that way, or to even exist, in their idea of the ideal online world. Depending on the social media platform, you can block the person, flag their comments as abusive, and even hide their comments completely if they’re on a post that you made.
This is also a moment where the old expression, “if you don’t like it, don’t watch it” comes into play (originally in reference to tv shows and movies and people’s individual taste). You can mention that in a comment back, but just be prepared that the person may continue their taunts, frankly because they have nothing better to do.
Let’s Talk it Out
Being surrounded by negativity about your lifestyle hurts, and that hurt can lead to larger mental health issues like depression and anxiety. You may find yourself questioning your activities, wondering if you’re somehow wrong, or questioning your self-worth.
Our team of mental health professionals is here to talk with you about your concerns right now.
You don’t have to defend yourself or explain yourself to us – we are here to affirm and support you and work through the feelings that you’re having.
Whether you’ve just come out or have been a thriving part of the LGBTQIA+ community for 20 years, we are here to provide guidance and care for your individual needs every day of the year… not just during PRIDE month.
If you are in the DFW area, we can provide in-person services in Dallas. We also offer tele-psychiatry services throughout Texas, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Florida, and Kansas. We are currently accepting new patients and can offer same-week and often same-day appointments. Contact us today or hit the Schedule Now button to reach our team and get the support that you need.
Safety Information
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency or are at risk of harming yourself or others, please call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. MindWell Urgent Care provides urgent psychiatric care but is not a crisis or inpatient facility.