HAPPY PRIDE MONTH

Hello to the she's, gays, and they's!! It's our month (although we shouldn't need just a month to speak out) and I am here to celebrate. I know this time of year isn't easy for everyone, and if you are struggling I am so sorry. I have included some phone numbers at the end of this post for anyone that needs to reach out for any reason. Also please feel free to reach out to me too! I would be honored to listen (:

I have been out for a few years now, and I am always asked about my coming out story. I tend to disappoint though because I don't have a big story. It's not even emotional. Looking back I realize the OBVIOUS signs of 'hey! you like women' that I didn't even realize everyone didn't experience. I liked guys so I never even thought about also liking women! Then as I got older and learned about the term bisexual, I was like woah you can like both?! I sat with it for a couple of months and then pretty much said yeah I'm attracted to women. From there I told my friends and it just spread out. Generally there were no reactions from people, I tend to be a very 'matter of fact' kind of person. So if someone had a negative opinion they kept it to themselves because honestly I didn't care about it. I will also add that I don't speak to some of my family so I am also curious how that would have turned out. My father is very homophobic (which I think may have had an affect on me more than I realized) and always used derogatory terms about sexuality to me. Not even because he thought I was gay, but because he just wanted to insult me and being gay was apparently the best "insult" he could come up with. I would love to walk up to him now and say 'remember all those times you called me a f*ggot?? You were right and it's great!' and watch his face fall. But alas, I don't have that privilege.

I really want to start getting involved in more LGBTQ events and organizations, So if anyone has any that they know of, specifically in NY or something I can do online I would love to hear it. Congratulations to anyone that has come out, fights for what they believe in, has realized it, has kept quiet for safety reasons and especially for just existing! We are so happy that you're here.

PHONE NUMBERS FOR THE US

This is the website I used that also that also has phone numbers for other countries https://psycom.net/get-help-mental-health

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI, or text “HELPLINE” to 62640. Both services available between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255); www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Or, just dial 988

• Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and Support: www.suicide.org

• Crisis Text Line: Text REASON to 741741 (free, confidential and 24/7). In English and Spanish

• Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)

• Family Violence Helpline: 1-800-996-6228

• Planned Parenthood Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526)

• American Association of Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222

• National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency: 1-800-622-2255

• LGBTQ Hotline: 1-888-843-4564

• The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678. Standard text messaging rates apply. Available 24/7/365. (Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning—LGBTQ—young people under 25.)

• The SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline connects LGBT older people and caretakers with friendly responders. 1-877-360-LGBT (5428)

• The Trans Lifeline is staffed by transgender people for transgender people: 1-877-565-8860 (United States) 1-877-330-6366 (Canada)

• Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation's largest organization fighting sexual violence: (800) 656-HOPE / (800) 810-7440 (TTY)

• Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net

• International Suicide Prevention Directory: findahelpline.com

• The StrongHearts Native Helpline is a confidential and anonymous culturally appropriate domestic violence and dating violence helpline for Native Americans, available every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT. Call 1-844-762-8483.