During Pride month and always, Ethos Wellness stands with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals. We welcome LGBTQIA+ people of all races, nationalities, ages, classes and creeds with open arms, and commit to supporting mental health journeys toward wellness, recovery and long-term healing.
Kelsey Sheppard, clinical intern at Ethos Wellness, reflects on Pride month and its history.
Pride is a month-long celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, and while it comes from a long-standing history of oppression, it's a time to celebrate, to be even more proud, excited, open and joyous about who you are and who you love.
Historical Origins
In 1969, New York's Stonewall Inn served as a refuge for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Police raids were routine until one June night sparked resistance that catalyzed Gay Liberation. Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman, reportedly threw the first brick and organized subsequent marches and meetings. Johnson and many others fought on the frontlines for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Decades of protests, marches, riots and political activism produced landmark decisions protecting the community's rights and freedoms. This struggle continues today. The Supreme Court ruled on June 15, 2020, that employers cannot fire individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Contemporary Significance and Mental Health Disparities
Sheppard emphasizes intersectionality. "If our Black brothers and sisters were on the frontlines of the movement for LGBTQIA+ rights, who are we to stand by or remain silent during one of the most pivotal racial justice movements of our lifetime?"
Mental health care disparities persist for LGBTQIA+ individuals and people of color. Many worry about judgment from healthcare providers and struggle to find therapists with shared lived experiences.
Resources
- The Montrose Center provides behavioral health, support services, adult primary care and psychiatry.
- LGBTQ Switchboard Houston offers 24-hour crisis support.
- Lambda Houston operates an LGBTQIA+ 12-Step Recovery Clubhouse.
- The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention with a 24-hour text line.
- LGBT National Help Center offers confidential peer support via phone, text and online chat.
Ethos Wellness invites those seeking support to contact us for compassionate, non-judgmental care.
