Help for gay people
How Do I Help My Gay Friend?
by D’Ann Davis
“How do I help my gay friend?” This is a question we notice constantly in the Living Hope office, when out speaking at events, or from friends and church members from around the world. Twenty years ago few Christians asked this question, for few knew any same gender attracted people, or if they did know them, they were ignorant to their friend’s struggles. Today almost everyone knows of someone who identifies as same-sex attracted or deals with a measure of same gender attractions. Even if a Christian finds himself in a season of experience where he does not personally know of a same gender attracted (SGA) person in his sphere of influence, this interrogate is of utmost importance in light of the change of our society and the growing willingness of Christians dealing with SGA to openly converse about their issues. So how does one aid a gay-identified friend or SGA friend?
The first response I typically give to this question is actually another question. “Does your friend know Jesus?” This is a vital first question any believer must tackle before attem
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June - We are saddened by the cruel decision to conclude the operation of the LGBTQ+ youth specific services on Please recognize that our services and support are not affected.
For nearly 30 years we have served the Homosexual community and we're not going anywhere. We are committed in growing and expanding services in the face of the current climate.
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Care Before Crisis
All of our support volunteers identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ family, and are here to serve the entire community, by providing free & confidential peer-support, communication, and local resources through national hotlines and online programs.
Hotline Hours:
Mon-Fri:
11 AM - 8 PM/pacific time
2 PM - 11 PM/eastern time
Sat:
9 AM - 2 PM/pacific time
Noon - 5 PM/eastern time
LGBT Online Peer Support Chat
Connect one-to-one through instant communication (IM) with a peer support volunteer
Join Peer Chat
Weekly Youth Chatrooms
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“Canada Gave Me a Second Chance”: Rahma's Opportunity to R Mental health support if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transitioned (LGBTQ+)
Mental health problems such as depression or self-harm can affect any of us, but they're more common among people who are lesbian, gay, bi-curious and trans (LGBTQ+).
This may be linked to LGBTQ+ people's life of discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, bullying, social isolation, or rejection because of their sexuality.
Other things, such as their age, religion, where they live, and their ethnicity can add extra complications to an already difficult situation.
How talking therapy can help
It might not be easy, but getting help with issues you're struggling to deal with on your own is one of the most crucial things you can do.
Talking with a therapist who's trained to work with LGBTQ+ people may help with issues such as:
- difficulty accepting your sexual orientation
- coping with other people's reactions to your sexuality
- feeling your body does not reflect your true gender (gender dysphoria)
- transitioning
- low self-esteem
- self-harm
- suicidal thoughts
- depression
- coping with bullying
Mental health support if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transitioned (LGBTQ+)
Mental health problems such as depression or self-harm can affect any of us, but they're more common among people who are lesbian, gay, bi-curious and trans (LGBTQ+).
This may be linked to LGBTQ+ people's life of discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, bullying, social isolation, or rejection because of their sexuality.
Other things, such as their age, religion, where they live, and their ethnicity can add extra complications to an already difficult situation.
How talking therapy can help
It might not be easy, but getting help with issues you're struggling to deal with on your own is one of the most crucial things you can do.
Talking with a therapist who's trained to work with LGBTQ+ people may help with issues such as:
- difficulty accepting your sexual orientation
- coping with other people's reactions to your sexuality
- feeling your body does not reflect your true gender (gender dysphoria)
- transitioning
- low self-esteem
- self-harm
- suicidal thoughts
- depression
- coping with bullying