The responses were taken from the organization’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People which made the following open-ended request to respondents (who were between the ages of 13 and 24): “We would love for you to share a message of advice or encouragement to other young people in the LGBTQ community.”
“I walk around my city, and I see businesses that have gay pride flags and pride flags in their windows,” one gay man said.
One respondent wrote, “Finding a sense of community helps so much, whether it’s online or in person. Just find a place where you can ask questions and read about other people’s experiences.”
Another stressed the importance of envisioning a better future and doing what one can to cultivate community support now.
“Find your group and work towards where you wanna be in life and you’ll make it there,” one wrote, as other offered encouraging words like, “Keep pushing,” “Keep going for another day,” “Just keep going, please,” and “Please keep strong.”
Another urged resilience and perseverance. “Be yourself always,” they wrote. “You may lose connections along the way but trust, there’s someone out there who will love you.” Another respondent agreed, writing, “Just look for the people who love you no matter what.”
Others urged self-compassion and patience as young people figure out their identities. One such message said, “Don’t rush finding your identity. Take your time to explore, and don’t be afraid to take up labels if they feel right at the time.”
Some respondents suggested repeating self-affirmations like the following:
I love you.
I believe in you.
You got this.
You are so strong and you are deserving of love always.
“Wake up everyday, and tell yourself you love yourself — until, one day, you believe it,” one young person wrote.
Other respondents acknowledged the adversity faced by young LGBTQ+ people, whether in politics or unaccepting homes.
“[It’s] very easy to think that the entire world [despises] you for who you are when your home environment conveys that,” one wrote. “You might not feel safe and happy now,” another wrote, “but hopefully, there will come a day when you find your home.”
“Don’t let the people around you tell you that you can’t love who you want and feel what you want to feel,” one respondent wrote.
Another added, “I know things look down right now and it’s hard to see past the hate that’s being spread but it always helps to remember that most people don’t hate us and that there are tons of us out there that are willing to help.”
“We’ve always been here. And we always will be,” another wrote. “They cannot erase us.”
Other respondents advised doing things to lessen negativity.
“Ignore the Idiots and cut people off if [you] have too [sic]. Life is too short to care what people think about you and they don’t even have to live your life and experience the things you do.”
In the same vein, another respondent replied, “Don’t let the people around you tell you that you can’t love who you want and feel what you want to feel.”
“Peer support is associated with lower levels of emotional and behavioral distress among LGBTQ+ young people,” the Trevor Project wrote. “However, not all LGBTQ+ young people have consistent access to peer support, especially LGBTQ+ young people who hold multiple marginalized identities.”
As such “hearing words of encouragement and advice from fellow LGBTQ+ young people has never been more needed,” the group added.
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I am an older gay guy in a long-term wonderful relationship. My spouse and I are in our 36th year together. I love politics and news. I enjoy civil discussions and have no taboo subjects. My pronouns are he / him / his and my email is Scottiestoybox@gmail.com
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11 thoughts on “Young LGBTQ+ people advise each other on how to survive challenging times”
These will be testing times. The LGBT+ communities should now continue to untie and grow from the strength of one group undivided.
Hi Roger. Yes I find we are. Except the Log Cabin Republicans. I wonder if they are being blackmailed. Otherwise why sell themselves, all gay people into the cattle cars? Why give into and promote the person who says he will erase all rights from people like you? So there has to be a reason.
But I find in my reading that the rest of the LGBTQ+ has gathered even closer together, finding resources and ways that they can protect and help gay / trans people or kids. Especially protecting kids.
You know Roger, I have failed. As a gay man who promotes the welfare of the entire LGBTQ+ I should have searched for and posted the advances and gains of the LGBTQ+ kids / people. But I will. I have forty more tabs to check and then when that is done I will restart from the beginning to champion those this blog was started to do. Hugs.
You have not failed Scottie. Not one bit of it. Working on a cause is a constant case of evolution and perspective.
There are times when there will be the urge to expose the follies or meanness of some groups; to alert others lest they grow complacent.
There will be times to support and advise others.
Going biblical and also folk music let’s not forget ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn!_Turn!_Turn!.
And my favourite version by The Byrds.
When I started out on social media I tried to be nice and accommodating, but found for many there is no wanting a common ground just their way. Again irrespective of political, social and ‘spiritual / ethical’ outlook.
I tried humour, but the same folk whatever outlook share on thing in common a lack of a sense of humour and irony.
So these days I am sharper with those who are mean spirited (I seem to be developing a practice of rapping on the knuckles approx five folk a day on Facebook). While supporting or discussing with those who have more open outlooks.
See how things change….that’s a personal account not a recommended one by the way.
Just keep on keeping on Scottie, with your good work. Nothing wasted here 👏👍
Hi Roger. Thank you for the song. I had heard it on the radio but did not know the name or who sang it. I like the idea of the song.
As for Facebook it is about to get much worse and a cesspool. Zuckerberg announced they will stop most moderation now, so no matter how racist or bigoted comments will be allowed. Be as insulting as they want maga can. They can let their hate flow now on Facebook and Musk’s X. Their joy at hurting others overflows.
Thank you for the encouragement. I do try. I did more blood work now. Looks like I have an issue with my brain sending the wrong chemical hormone signals to my kidneys and they are draining my body of needed salts and chemicals. That is one reason why I am suffering so badly from fatigue and diarrhea. But I have been suffering from this for years, but I finally got a good doctor who noticed the problem and is taking pains to fix it. Hugs
Hi Roger. No problem, I do far worse every day here. Nice to see I am not the only human writing here. Hey I got good news. I got my doctor to change my medications and so … rather than going to bed by 4 or 6 I have been staying up until Ron goes to bed around 9:30 or later. I love it. He is not loving it as much so. That means instead of me being sound asleep as he comes to bed … I am wide wake and … he would rather I be asleep as he came to bed. Oh well, we all adjust. Hugs.
Hi Roger. The medications changed were my pain meds, increasing the strength of then but making the interval between doses longer. All of them have a side effect of making me tired so it gave me the same relief while not making me as tired. This time it is scary. For most of my time having medical problems, since the late 1990s, my doctors could diagnose and sort of explain what was happening in me. This time is it different. For several years the pain doctor has seen my tremors get worse and wanted me to have a neurologist. I did not want another doctor who would want expensive tests on my stretched budget.
Add to that for three or more years I have had a very old ready to retire primary care. He did not want to know my history or problems, he did not believe in talking to patients, and we did not care for each other. Every visit we sat in silence as he looked at my labs, never putting together that my electrolytes and sodium levels were moving more and more into the danger zone. About six months ago I saw my new primary care after the old one retired.
He explained he has seen something that concerned him and asked if the other doctor had said anything to me about it. He wanted to see me in three months but I couldn’t so he made it six months. This time he explained that what he was thinking was serious. My sodium along with other chemicals were dropping into the danger point. I was then about 10 to 12 points from where I could start having seizures. He wanted new tests and he needed them soon. He explained he suspected that my brain was not sending the correct chemical signal to my kidneys to stop emptying my blood / body of salt and other electrolytes. The hormone that handles this command is a few letters and then ADH. Oh hold on, I looked it up again. It is fully SIADH.
He wanted me to see a nephrologist, a kidney specialist. I then explained what I had happen to me in January to May 2023 when my heart rate soared to a steady 140 to 150 bpm while at rest. As it started into the end of January and beginning of February I had a stroke like event. He looked through the note and noted that my old doctor had noted the heart rates and labs but never recommended anything about it. I had got the old doctor to make a new referral to a heart doctor as my own heart doctor couldn’t see me for 8 months. He noticed the guy had documented my stroke like symptoms but never made a diagnoses or tried to look into / make a referral to a specialist. He tried to school his features but I could tell he was not impressed with my old primary care doctor he has replaced. He patiently in simple words told me the situation and what he was thinking. He asked for new labs and to see me in three months. I agreed.
I waited a week, got the labs done. We then went for breakfast the first time we ate out since 2020. It was sticker shock at the price jump, but the meal was grand and huge. Over flowing the large plate. It was in the design of the old diners, so you could see the cooks making your food fresh. The waitress talked to us and the other customers as she worked around all the tables. I brought most of mine home, Ron barely ate all of his.
However when I looked up the tests results and the different syndromes names for it, it then got scarier and scarier. Things like Gitelman Syndrome or Bartter syndrome but none of them seem to fit the bill. I admit I am worried and a bit scared. The labs were worse than before in just a week. I am now only 5 points from where he said I could start to have seizures. He told me to keep eating salty things, and using far more salt than is good for most people as long as I like the taste, as I crave salts. And now I know why. He also said I should drink electrolyte drinks.
After we ate, got home and we examined the results of my tests online I went to bed. Got up and ate lunch, went back to bed, got up ate supper and went back to bed. I slept around the clock until 4 am when I forced myself up to finish my meme post for this morning. I just feel so tired which every one of the things we read about the salt wasting is one of the symptoms, along with constant diarrhea which I also have despite taking four medications that should slow my bowels and make my stools hard as rocks.
So yes I am worried and scared this time. But there is good news. With the laws President Biden got pushed through Ron and I came out ahead the first part of this month even though our rent on the land our home sits on jumped about $50. But I guess that will go to a new doctor. Ok, you have a grand Sunday as you are hours ahead of us in the time frame of the world and almost decades in social time, I need to go work on the post due in a few hours. Hugs. Scottie
These are obviously complex and challenging times for you Scottie. We are all inured in some way to think that a doctor will have an answer, even if it takes a while.
Sheila has health issues which are very much lesser than yours but restricting and debilitating and answers seem far off. Thus I can emphasise.
Wishing you all the very best you and Ron in these testing times.
We will be thinking of you both.
Scottie's Playtime 
These will be testing times. The LGBT+ communities should now continue to untie and grow from the strength of one group undivided.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Roger. Yes I find we are. Except the Log Cabin Republicans. I wonder if they are being blackmailed. Otherwise why sell themselves, all gay people into the cattle cars? Why give into and promote the person who says he will erase all rights from people like you? So there has to be a reason.
But I find in my reading that the rest of the LGBTQ+ has gathered even closer together, finding resources and ways that they can protect and help gay / trans people or kids. Especially protecting kids.
You know Roger, I have failed. As a gay man who promotes the welfare of the entire LGBTQ+ I should have searched for and posted the advances and gains of the LGBTQ+ kids / people. But I will. I have forty more tabs to check and then when that is done I will restart from the beginning to champion those this blog was started to do. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You have not failed Scottie. Not one bit of it. Working on a cause is a constant case of evolution and perspective.
There are times when there will be the urge to expose the follies or meanness of some groups; to alert others lest they grow complacent.
There will be times to support and advise others.
Going biblical and also folk music let’s not forget ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn!_Turn!_Turn!.
And my favourite version by The Byrds.
When I started out on social media I tried to be nice and accommodating, but found for many there is no wanting a common ground just their way. Again irrespective of political, social and ‘spiritual / ethical’ outlook.
I tried humour, but the same folk whatever outlook share on thing in common a lack of a sense of humour and irony.
So these days I am sharper with those who are mean spirited (I seem to be developing a practice of rapping on the knuckles approx five folk a day on Facebook). While supporting or discussing with those who have more open outlooks.
See how things change….that’s a personal account not a recommended one by the way.
Just keep on keeping on Scottie, with your good work. Nothing wasted here 👏👍
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Roger. Thank you for the song. I had heard it on the radio but did not know the name or who sang it. I like the idea of the song.
As for Facebook it is about to get much worse and a cesspool. Zuckerberg announced they will stop most moderation now, so no matter how racist or bigoted comments will be allowed. Be as insulting as they want maga can. They can let their hate flow now on Facebook and Musk’s X. Their joy at hurting others overflows.
Thank you for the encouragement. I do try. I did more blood work now. Looks like I have an issue with my brain sending the wrong chemical hormone signals to my kidneys and they are draining my body of needed salts and chemicals. That is one reason why I am suffering so badly from fatigue and diarrhea. But I have been suffering from this for years, but I finally got a good doctor who noticed the problem and is taking pains to fix it. Hugs
LikeLiked by 2 people
PS: Durn! Stupid ‘fat fingers’…that should read ‘Unite’!!! Not ‘Untie’.
Sorry ’bout that guys😖
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Roger. No problem, I do far worse every day here. Nice to see I am not the only human writing here. Hey I got good news. I got my doctor to change my medications and so … rather than going to bed by 4 or 6 I have been staying up until Ron goes to bed around 9:30 or later. I love it. He is not loving it as much so. That means instead of me being sound asleep as he comes to bed … I am wide wake and … he would rather I be asleep as he came to bed. Oh well, we all adjust. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 2 people
New meds. New horizons ! 😃
Best wishes for those Scottie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Roger. The medications changed were my pain meds, increasing the strength of then but making the interval between doses longer. All of them have a side effect of making me tired so it gave me the same relief while not making me as tired. This time it is scary. For most of my time having medical problems, since the late 1990s, my doctors could diagnose and sort of explain what was happening in me. This time is it different. For several years the pain doctor has seen my tremors get worse and wanted me to have a neurologist. I did not want another doctor who would want expensive tests on my stretched budget.
Add to that for three or more years I have had a very old ready to retire primary care. He did not want to know my history or problems, he did not believe in talking to patients, and we did not care for each other. Every visit we sat in silence as he looked at my labs, never putting together that my electrolytes and sodium levels were moving more and more into the danger zone. About six months ago I saw my new primary care after the old one retired.
He explained he has seen something that concerned him and asked if the other doctor had said anything to me about it. He wanted to see me in three months but I couldn’t so he made it six months. This time he explained that what he was thinking was serious. My sodium along with other chemicals were dropping into the danger point. I was then about 10 to 12 points from where I could start having seizures. He wanted new tests and he needed them soon. He explained he suspected that my brain was not sending the correct chemical signal to my kidneys to stop emptying my blood / body of salt and other electrolytes. The hormone that handles this command is a few letters and then ADH. Oh hold on, I looked it up again. It is fully SIADH.
He wanted me to see a nephrologist, a kidney specialist. I then explained what I had happen to me in January to May 2023 when my heart rate soared to a steady 140 to 150 bpm while at rest. As it started into the end of January and beginning of February I had a stroke like event. He looked through the note and noted that my old doctor had noted the heart rates and labs but never recommended anything about it. I had got the old doctor to make a new referral to a heart doctor as my own heart doctor couldn’t see me for 8 months. He noticed the guy had documented my stroke like symptoms but never made a diagnoses or tried to look into / make a referral to a specialist. He tried to school his features but I could tell he was not impressed with my old primary care doctor he has replaced. He patiently in simple words told me the situation and what he was thinking. He asked for new labs and to see me in three months. I agreed.
I waited a week, got the labs done. We then went for breakfast the first time we ate out since 2020. It was sticker shock at the price jump, but the meal was grand and huge. Over flowing the large plate. It was in the design of the old diners, so you could see the cooks making your food fresh. The waitress talked to us and the other customers as she worked around all the tables. I brought most of mine home, Ron barely ate all of his.
However when I looked up the tests results and the different syndromes names for it, it then got scarier and scarier. Things like Gitelman Syndrome or Bartter syndrome but none of them seem to fit the bill. I admit I am worried and a bit scared. The labs were worse than before in just a week. I am now only 5 points from where he said I could start to have seizures. He told me to keep eating salty things, and using far more salt than is good for most people as long as I like the taste, as I crave salts. And now I know why. He also said I should drink electrolyte drinks.
After we ate, got home and we examined the results of my tests online I went to bed. Got up and ate lunch, went back to bed, got up ate supper and went back to bed. I slept around the clock until 4 am when I forced myself up to finish my meme post for this morning. I just feel so tired which every one of the things we read about the salt wasting is one of the symptoms, along with constant diarrhea which I also have despite taking four medications that should slow my bowels and make my stools hard as rocks.
So yes I am worried and scared this time. But there is good news. With the laws President Biden got pushed through Ron and I came out ahead the first part of this month even though our rent on the land our home sits on jumped about $50. But I guess that will go to a new doctor. Ok, you have a grand Sunday as you are hours ahead of us in the time frame of the world and almost decades in social time, I need to go work on the post due in a few hours. Hugs. Scottie
LikeLiked by 2 people
These are obviously complex and challenging times for you Scottie. We are all inured in some way to think that a doctor will have an answer, even if it takes a while.
Sheila has health issues which are very much lesser than yours but restricting and debilitating and answers seem far off. Thus I can emphasise.
Wishing you all the very best you and Ron in these testing times.
We will be thinking of you both.
Roger & Sheila
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Roger. My sympathy and best wishes for Sheila. Please let her know I am thinking of her, wishing her the best. Let her know I care. Hugs
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much Scottie.
I will pass those kind words on.🙏
Best wishes
Roger & Sheila
LikeLiked by 2 people