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LGBTQ Pride Month

June was first declared as LGBTQ Pride Month in 2000. Since then, June has been a time to acknowledge a positive stance against discrimination and violence toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer /questioning (LGBTQ) people to promote their self-affirmation, dignity, equality rights, increase their visibility as a social group, build community, and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance.

LGBTQ Pride Month is also a time to bring awareness to the experiences of the LGBTQ community. LGBTQ youth are routinely harassed because of their sexual orientation. In 2015, it was reported that out of 10,528 middle and high school students surveyed 85.2% LGBTQ students experienced verbal harassment at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation, 57.6% felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation and 31.8% skipped a day of school in the past month because of safety concerns.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, child welfare and juvenile justice professionals, healthcare providers, educators and school staff, and policy makers.

A list of external resources related to LGBTQ Pride Month is available here.

NCTSN Resource

Gender-Affirming Care Is Trauma-Informed Care

Type: Fact Sheet

Discusses how gender-affirming care is trauma-informed care and offers tips for showing support and acceptance for transgender, gender diverse, and intersex (TGI) youth.

NCTSN Resource

Trauma-Focused CBT for LGBTQ Youth

Type: Webinar

Discusses how professionals can recognize qualities of a safe, affirming environment where staff can explore personal views and values, and articulate professional responsibilities.

NCTSN Resource

LGBTQ Youth: Voices of Trauma, Lives of Promise

Type: Video

Features five LGBTQ youth who discuss their own trauma experiences related to their respective LGBTQ identities, how they strengthened their resilience, and how professionals helped them.

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