In the wake of attacks targeting the LGBTQ+ community, you may be wondering whether safety will ever be possible. However, history shows that the LGBTQ+ community is extraordinarily resilient. From the Stonewall Riots to modern-day Pride movements, LGBTQ+ people have repeatedly transformed adversity into advocacy.

While attacks take an emotional toll, recovery and strength are achievable with intentional efforts to rebuild a sense of safety.

The emotional impact of LGBTQ+ attacks

Acts of violence or discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community aren’t just isolated events; they affect everyone in the entire community.

Consider recent discriminatory trans bathroom bans in the United States. Trans girls and women aren’t the only ones discriminated against—masculine cisgendered women are also bullied and threatened as a result. Even queer people in states without trans bathroom bans feel vulnerable and afraid. Survivors of LGBTQ+ attacks and those connected to them often face:

• Trauma and anxiety: They may replay the traumatic events in their minds, have flashbacks, panic attacks and become hypervigilant.

• Grief: The loss of loved ones, community spaces, or even a sense of safety can trigger the grieving process.

• Helplessness: They may feel powerless to control their place in the world and even feel disconnected from queer activism.

• Identity struggles: These events can make internalized stigma worse or bring up complex questions about belonging and identity.

The importance of community support

For many LGBTQ+ people, community is a lifeline. The queer community gives a sense of belonging and solidarity. Following bigoted attacks, leaning into these connections is even more crucial. It’s important to engage in:

• Building safe spaces: Whether virtual or physical, safe spaces allow people to process their emotions, share their stories, and feel supported.

• Activism: Turning pain into action can be a powerful way to reclaim agency. Participating in rallies, writing to policymakers, or supporting LGBTQ+ organizations will channel feelings of despair into something productive.

• Peer support groups: Talking with others who have shared experiences makes everyone feel more validated and connected.

Advocating for systemic changes

As a community, pushing efforts into systemic change is necessary for long-term, widespread safety. Advocacy can focus on:

• Policy reforms by pushing for stronger anti-discrimination laws, hate crime legislation, and better protections for LGBTQ+ people.

• Education and awareness in society. Educational programs in schools, workplaces, and public institutions ultimately promote more inclusivity and pave the way for a safer world for LGBTQ+ people.

• Accountability and justice by ensuring perpetrators of hate crimes are held accountable.

Steps toward personal healing

If you’ve been the victim of an LGBTQ+ attack or are living in fear because of a hostile climate, it’s important to take care of your mental health first and foremost. Try out these strategies:

• Engage in mindfulness practices: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help you ground your emotions and feel more calm day to day.

• Establish boundaries with tech: Limiting exposure to triggering news or social media content will protect your mental health. When something bad happens to the LGBTQ+ community, avoid doomscrolling.

• Focus on your physical health: Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and good sleep hygiene are all crucial components of your mental health as well.

• Spend time doing what you love: Pour yourself into activities that bring you joy. These could be creative outlets, spending time outdoors, creating a safe space for community meetups, or devoting your efforts to a queer cause you care about.

Getting help

Not all traumas can be healed on your own. Therapists who specialize in trauma or LGBTQ+ issues can offer give you the tools to navigate these difficult experiences. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or somatic experiencing are just a few therapeutic approaches that can address the type of trauma you may have experienced.

Reach out to us today to discuss a treatment plan that will build your resilience and recovery in the face of attacks on your community.