The Trevor Project’s Post

Happy Non-Binary Awareness Week 💛 Let this be a reminder that you should use they/them pronouns when referring to me! Gender identity and expression is as unique as each person; just as unique as your fingerprints or your preference for AC temperature 😅 "Non-Binary is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn't sit comfortably with 'man' or 'woman'. Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, and others who reject them entirely. Non-binary people can feel that their gender identity and gender experience involves being both a man and a woman, or that it is fluid, in between, or completely outside of that binary." - the definition of non-binary provided by Stonewall #nonbinary #awareness #unique #beyou

Last week I had the pleasure of celebrating International Pronouns Day 2023 with Chapter 2 with a online & in person lunch & learn focussed around pronouns, how to use them & why understanding them is such an important part of active allyship. Some of the key takeaways were: 🏳️⚧️ If you're unsure of someones pronouns, the easiest way to find out is to respectfully ask them directly. Disclosing pronouns is voluntary & no one should ever be pressured to tell you if they feel uncomfortable to do so. 🏳️⚧️ Don't make a big deal out of mistakes. If you stumble over someones pronouns, apologise & move on quickly; using that mistake as an opportunity to learn. But a continued misuse of someones pronouns is a form of hostility & is considered a microagression. 🏳️⚧️ As a cisgendered person, disclosing your pronouns on social media, your email signatures, or within presentations is important. It levels the playing field & normalises the conversation for everyone. It also acts as a sign of a safe space for queer people. Thanks again to the team at Chapter 2 for being so open to learn more about active allyship - & thanks to Ruth Foran for facilitating the session 🤍. #InternationalPronounsDay #LGBTQ #DEI

June 14: How to support a friend who comes out. 🌈 Be an ally, be a friend. Coming out is a deeply personal and often challenging experience. Your support can make a significant difference in your friend's journey toward living authentically. Here are some ways to show your support: Listen Without Judgment: Let your friend share their story at their own pace. Offer a listening ear and validate their feelings. Respect Their Privacy: Keep their confidence and avoid sharing their news with others unless they give you permission. Use Correct Pronouns and Names: Show respect by using the pronouns and names your friend prefers. Educate Yourself: Learn about LGBTQ+ issues and experiences to better understand and support your friend. Offer Reassurance: Remind your friend that their identity is valid and that they are loved and accepted for who they are. Be Patient: Understand that this is a process and your friend may have ups and downs. Offer continuous support. Show Up: Be there for your friend in tangible ways, whether it's accompanying them to events or just spending time together. At FlowArt Therapy, we believe in the power of allyship and the importance of being there for our friends and loved ones. Share your tips and experiences for supporting friends who come out in the comments. Let's create a community of love and acceptance. #BeAnAlly #SupportYourFriends #PrideMonth2024 #ComingOutSupport #LGBTQAlly #ComingOutSupport #BeAnAlly #SafeSpaces #LGBTQSupport #InclusivePride #PrideMonth #LoveIsLove #QueerPride #FlowArt #FlowArtTherapy #FlowArtLearning #DrMistyGibson #Neurosparkly #KeepItSparkly #DrMistyandMichell

June 14: How to support a friend who comes out. 🌈 Be an ally, be a friend. Coming out is a deeply personal and often challenging experience. Your support can make a significant difference in your friend's journey toward living authentically. Here are some ways to show your support: Listen Without Judgment: Let your friend share their story at their own pace. Offer a listening ear and validate their feelings. Respect Their Privacy: Keep their confidence and avoid sharing their news with others unless they give you permission. Use Correct Pronouns and Names: Show respect by using the pronouns and names your friend prefers. Educate Yourself: Learn about LGBTQ+ issues and experiences to better understand and support your friend. Offer Reassurance: Remind your friend that their identity is valid and that they are loved and accepted for who they are. Be Patient: Understand that this is a process and your friend may have ups and downs. Offer continuous support. Show Up: Be there for your friend in tangible ways, whether it's accompanying them to events or just spending time together. At FlowArt Therapy, we believe in the power of allyship and the importance of being there for our friends and loved ones. Share your tips and experiences for supporting friends who come out in the comments. Let's create a community of love and acceptance. #BeAnAlly #SupportYourFriends #PrideMonth2024 #ComingOutSupport #LGBTQAlly #ComingOutSupport #BeAnAlly #SafeSpaces #LGBTQSupport #InclusivePride #PrideMonth #LoveIsLove #QueerPride #FlowArt #FlowArtTherapy #FlowArtLearning #DrMistyGibson #Neurosparkly #KeepItSparkly #DrMistyandMichell

🏳️🌈 Today, April 6th, is Asexuality Awareness Day! 🏳️⚧️ Let's take a moment to celebrate and raise awareness for the asexual community. Asexuality is a valid sexual orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction to others. It's important to recognize and respect the diversity of human experiences when it comes to sexuality. Here are a few key points to consider: 1️⃣ Asexuality is not the same as celibacy. Asexual individuals may or may not engage in sexual activity, just like anyone else. 2️⃣ Asexuality is a spectrum. Some asexual people may experience romantic attraction, while others may not. 3️⃣ Asexual people often face misunderstanding and stigma. It's crucial to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels accepted and valued, regardless of their sexual orientation. Let's use today as an opportunity to educate ourselves and others about asexuality, promote acceptance, and celebrate the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. Together, we can create a more inclusive world. #AsexualityAwarenessDay #LGBTQ+ #Inclusion 🌈

https://lnkd.in/g3_y8bPR As we begin Pride Week 2024 here in New York City, it is critical that we acknowledge the mental health challenges and social barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ communities. Many of us, particularly our transgender and gender diverse loved ones, friends, and peers are experiencing heightened discrimination, violence, and stigmatization leading to increased mental health struggles. If you're having a difficult time, know that it is not your fault. Our social environment is rife with #minoritystress; a particularly harmful form of stress that is often experienced by stigmatized and marginalized people, especially LGBTQIA+ folx. For more info on the harmful impacts of minority stress, check out the link above. At IHI Therapy Center, we provide expert care for every identity (SM) and offer support for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Stay with us this week as we explore these important issues and celebrate our resilience. #Pride2024 #LGBTQ #TransRights #Pride, #harmreduction, #LGBTQIA, #LGBTQIA+, #LGBTQ, #LGBTQ+, #lesbian, #bisexual, #bi, #queer, #trans, #transgender, #NB, #nonbinary, #genderexpansive, #genderqueer, #gay, #saygay, #recovery, #noshame, #stigma, #acceptance

With Pride Month in full swing, let’s dive into some fundamentals: gender pronouns. ✨ Pronouns aren’t just optional add-ons. They’re essential in affirming our identities, and getting them right can make a huge difference - sometimes even saving lives. And guess what? As we grow and discover more about ourselves, our pronouns might change, and that’s absolutely okay. 💖 So, when you meet someone new, just ask for their pronouns. It’s a simple way to show you care. And whether someone shares or chooses not to, respecting their decision is key. We’re all on our own unique journeys, and everyone’s comfort level is different. If you mess up and use the wrong pronoun, don’t stress! Just apologize, correct it, and keep the conversation going. We’re all learning, and it’s natural to stumble sometimes. What matters is your willingness to understand and grow. 🌱 What else do you wish people understood about pronouns? Share in the comments below! ⤵️ #ManhattanMindful #Manhattan #NYC #LGBTQ #Therapy #Pleasure #GenderExpansive #AffirmingCare #Queer #SexTherapy #TraumaInformed #MentalHealth #Pronouns #Gender #GenderPronouns

Today we celebrate International Pronouns Day! 🌈 Today is about respecting, sharing and educating about personal pronouns. As Pronouns.org puts it ‘referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity.’ Often when using pronouns in English there is a gender implied – like ‘he’ to refer to a boy or ‘she’ to refer to a girl. These associations are not always accurate. And often people make assumptions about the gender of another person because of how they look or their name. Personal pronouns can be an extremely important part of someone's identity. Using someone’s correct personal pronouns shows you respect them and advocate for creating an inclusive environment. 🤔 If you’re unsure – just ask them! And if you’re confused, seek to find out more and learn about pronouns. 💞 So today we celebrate all identities and expressions. Let’s all work together on creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. 👉 For more LGBTQ+ youth mental health resources, head over to headinthegame.us #ProunounsDay #LGBTQ #Inclusion #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthMatters Beyond Sport

The impacts of #ageism 👵🏼 One thing for certain is that we're all, if we're lucky enough, going to age... So for our #WordofTheWeek let's chat about ageism. 🕔 Growing older often comes hand in hand with discrimination and prejudice - especially when combined with intersectional factors like #misogyny. Professionally, we see how ageism impacts older women in terms of lack of representation in leadership, and also in the lack of leading roles in films and television. Ageism is prevalent in so many every day life and interactions: at work, chats with friends, on dating apps or used as insults when someone riles us. It's also a prevalent issue within the #LGBTQ+ community itself, where older people often feel excluded and looked down upon by younger generations. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ It's important to recognise that this issue doesn't just go one way though - when we discount the experiences and perspectives of young people, that is also ageism. Ageism isn't as widely discussed as other prejudices, but it's important to recognise and call it out. Not least because it's reductive and offensive but because ageism massively overlooks the beauty of intergenerational learning and wisdom. 🌱 Have you experienced ageism at work or in the LGBTQ+ Community? Let us know in the comments. 👇🏾 📚 Continue your learning journey with our Queer Allyship Lexicon: https://lnkd.in/eHEE9Hmp #LearningResources #DEI #Intersectionality #AgeDiscrimination

💡 Learn your DEI terminology! Today, let's talk about the term "misgender." To misgender is to refer to an individual using a word, especially a pronoun or form of address, which does not correctly reflect their gender. This may be unintentional and without ill intent or can be a maliciously employed expression of bias. Regardless of intent, misgendering has a harmful impact. For transgender and non-binary individuals, being consistently misgendered and/or deadnamed is deeply hurtful and invalidating. It often triggers feeling of anxiety, depression, and alienation from society. Misgendering can even expose them to violence and unsafe experiences. Several studies show that when you use someone’s correct pronouns and name, it drastically decreases that person’s thoughts of suicide, depression, and anxiety. This is especially true for transgender youth. (Source: National Institutes of Health) YW Boston can help you learn to engage in practices that affirm individuals of all genders. Visit https://buff.ly/43olhHp to find out more. #misgender #transphobia #homophobia #lgbtq #ywboston #dei #inclusionboston #inclusion