Some of Our Challenges

• Depression is caused by many factors; genetics, stress, lack of social support to name a few. Everyone knows that depressed people feel depressed but did you know that irritability is also a sign of depression? Depression is marked by disturbances in sleep, appetite, sex drive, concentration and motivation. If you’ve had trouble feeling sad or irritable for more than 2 weeks, it’s a good idea to call a counselor or see your doctor. If you are having suicidal thoughts, call a professional immediately. Quick treatment can prevent depression from becoming severe and causing more problems later.

• Alcohol is definitely part of the social scene here in Wisconsin. You can certainly find other drugs but for most folks alcohol is the chosen social lubricant. The up side is that alcohol and drugs heighten our senses and relax us. Unfortunately, they also numb emotions and inflate sense of self-esteem chemically. Finding the line between healthy use and abuse is difficult. If your loved ones are concerned or you are having trouble cutting down on your use, seek out a professional who is specially trained in substance abuse counseling. They can help you decide if you have a problem and what you can do about it.

• Sex and romance. The things we are fighting so hard to have accepted, can also lose their meaning. Sex can become a way to submerge our inner conflict and guilt. When you start to neglect friends, family and your responsibilities to pursue the next conquest, sex has become a compulsion. Conversely, others avoid sex out of shame and fear.

How We Can Help Ourselves

So how do you avoid falling into these traps? There is no substitute for the supportive ear of a trusted confidant. Many of us at least temporarily lose contact with our families at the very moment we need the most support. Reach out to friends. Some people find seeing a counselor helpful especially if they are isolated. It doesn’t matter so much what you do, just do something with that energy. So many times when stress arises we forget to schedule time to relax and let it all hang out. Make time for hobbies and socializing.

Taking care of your body is another way to inoculate yourself against stress. Exercise is very effective for blowing off steam and keeping depression at bay. It also greatly improves sleep. Eating well increases energy and stamina to forge ahead. Not exactly rocket science but we could all do better on these fronts.

Keep an open mind about the many facets of the LGBTQA community. Humans instinctively respond with anxiety when presented with something new. Just make certain that you aren’t mistaking anxiety for dislike. We are already working to escape the prejudice of the world, let’s not set up more barriers within our community. Try out all the scenes: sports teams, non-profit groups, political campaigns and pageants just to name a few.

The changes that come with identifying your sexuality and accepting yourself can be overwhelming. Even people who’ve been out for decades come across pockets of homophobia inside themselves. By creating a circle of support and taking good care of ourselves mentally and physically, we can create a healthy community. It is that community that eventually topples the prejudice and bigotry we all face every day.