LGBTIQ

LGBTIQ individuals, couples, and families may still experience discrimination, judgment, disrespect, and non-acceptance, which has detrimental impacts to wellbeing and connections. In addition to the usual life stressors that everyone experiences, LGBTIQ individuals may be feeling challenged by:

• Decisions about their identity and lifestyle, including sexuality and gender
• Impacts of discrimination, judgment, and homophobia on self-esteem, identity, relationships, general functioning, and self-confidence
• Dealing with trauma and stress following incidents of intolerance, discrimination, judgment etc
• Decisions and choices about “coming out” and the worries and fears associated with this
• Relationship issues following disclosures of sexuality and lifestyle
• Religious, spiritual, and cultural beliefs that many may say is in conflict with your sexuality
• Decisions about parenting and inherent difficulties of becoming a parent via sperm donation, or co-parenting with a non-partner in order to have children

Supportive counselling in a safe, non-judgmental space can help immensely with these situations. It can be a great relief to come and talk to someone who is completely accepting of your sexual identity and lifestyle, and familiar with the issues commonly experienced in the LGBTIQ community.