The acronym LGBTQIA stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (sexual or gender identity), intersex (a person born with a sexual anatomy that doesn’t define it as male or female/hermaphrodite) and asexual (not experiencing sexual attraction to anyone).

The issues that LGBTQIA people face are the effects of stigma (prejudice, discrimination, and violence), in its various forms, and in 2020 the Center for American Progress (CAP), in conjunction with the independent research group National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, conducted one of the most comprehensive surveys to date examining the lives, attitudes, and experiences of LGBTQIA Americans. It found that discrimination existed in their personal lives, in the workplace, in society as a whole, and in their access to essential health care, and had a negative impact on their financial, mental, and physical well-being. Many of those surveyed said that they had changed their lifestyles to try and avoid the bigotry.

Younger people generally reported higher levels of discrimination than older people, and it was shown to be most prominent among transgender, colored and disabled individuals. In the United States schools are the main sources of education and socialization for young people outside of the home. They can sometimes be challenging environments for students at the best of times but are often particularly unwelcoming for LGBTQIA youth. Bullying and harassment, exclusion from school curricula and resources, restrictions on LGBTQIA student groups, and other forms of discrimination and bigotry against students and staff were identified as areas of concern. This continues to be a problem due to the lack of policies and procedures designed to protect and support LGBTQIA youth either not being created, or not being implemented if they do exist. This makes the youth vulnerable to physical and psychological harm and can have an adverse impact on their education.

The study also showed that LGBTQIA students often lacked teacher role models as many LGBTQIA teachers said they feared backlash from parents or the school if they were open about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

A LGBTQIA counselor is one who is specifically trained in, and is familiar with, issues and concerns facing people of different genders and sexualities.  During an LGBTQIA therapy session, the client will be able to speak privately and confidentially about any concerns they have, regardless of whether they relate to their gender identity/sexual orientation or not. Counseling is helpful in exploring gender identity or expression; exploring sexual orientation; considerations around coming out; identifying and managing depression, anxiety, or gender dysphoria; and dealing with bullying and/or discrimination. A LGBTQIA counselor can also help with concerns such as relationship, sexual or parenting matters, and addiction.

If an LGBTQIA individual has experienced bullying and hate crimes, has lost their home or has been rejected by family and friends as a result of coming out, they should know that there is help available to help them deal with, and work through, the traumatic and emotional impact of these events. 

Other issues that an LGBTQIA individual may want to talk about are:

⦁ Gender dysphoria – when gender identity and expression is different from the gender assigned at birth
⦁ Sexual identity issues and questions
⦁ Concerns about stigma and how to deal with it at work or school

It is important to remember that the help and support provided by an LGBTQIA counselor is not only completely confidential but is specially focused on the unique struggles that an individual faces by being a part of the LGBTQIA community.

If you would like to know more about LGBTQIA counseling call Reaching Resolution today! Call us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located 9719 Northeast Parkway, Suite 100 Matthews NC 28105. We serve clients from Matthews NC, Charlotte NC, Mint Hill NC, Indian Trail NC, Pineville NC, and Stallings NC.