As we enter Pride Month and celebrate what it is to be GLBTQI, we are faced with prejudice from many directions. As a part of this diverse community, we understand that the prejudice comes from not only outside forces but also our own communities. It comes from the sports teams we compete with, it comes from the church and social communities we belong to and it even comes from our government. Trying to have a healthy relationship under this kind of discrimination can be a huge challenge. It can tear down relationships by creating a dynamic in the relationship that does not encourage openness or free expression of affection.
People in the GLBTQI community do not see themselves represented in most media and art forms. They don’t see themselves and their friends being afforded the same safety and security that their straight brothers and sisters enjoy. Some of them are even ostracized by our own families and friends as they come out.
How comfortable are you and your partner with holding hands in public? Straight couples may not even have to think about this, but for many in the GLBTQI community it is a dangerous thing to do. They may become victims of violence and harsh treatment from others. During Pride month we celebrate those who came before and paved the way for equal rights under the law. These rights that were demanded weren’t special rights that no one else had, they were the same rights straight couples and individuals share. Pride month also opens the door to allow us to come together and enjoy our community in a public way. It gives us a chance to reach out to others and offer support and education. It lets the community at large see that we are not a danger or a threat but that we can be loving and accepting of others.
At Texas Relationship Therapy, our counselors are knowledgeable and sensitive to the special demands placed on same sex and transgender relationships. We see clients who face these challenges in addition to the same challenges straight couples and cisgender individuals face. We care about our clients’ sense of fulfillment in their relationships, whether it is a romantic relationship, a familial relationship or one with the rest of the community around them. You can get a sneak peak of our therapists by watching their videos and reading their bios at houstonrelationshiptherapy.com. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our caring staff while you are there.
Don’t settle for a so-so relationship, take Pride in your relationships by demanding the chance to make it healthier and happier! HAPPY PRIDE!
Written by: Kearin Miller, MS, LMFT-Associate, CST-Candidate
If you have any further questions about this topic or to schedule a session with one of our clinicians, please CONTACT US.
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