The mental health of queer communities is under direct threat. With Trump’s conservative agenda back in the spotlight — including attacks on trans rights, attempts to restrict gender-affirming care, and the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation — many queer people are feeling a growing sense of fear, stress, and uncertainty. The mental health toll of living under a political system that seeks to erase and criminalize our identities cannot be overstated.

But queer communities have always been resilient. Our history is one of survival, defiance, and joy even in the face of adversity. Now more than ever, protecting our mental health isn’t just about self-care — it’s about survival. Here’s how we can preserve and strengthen our mental health as we navigate these challenging times.

1. Find a Queer-Affirming Therapist

Access to mental health care that recognizes and affirms your identity is critical.

• Seek out LGBTQ+-affirming therapists – Therapists who understand the specific challenges faced by queer people — including minority stress, internalized homophobia, and discrimination — can offer better support.
• Use online platforms – Services like AMR Therapy & Support Services specialize in connecting queer individuals with affirming therapists.
• Trauma-informed care – Many queer individuals face complex trauma from family rejection, discrimination, and violence. Finding a therapist trained in trauma recovery is key.

👉 If access is limited due to cost or location, sliding-scale therapy options and online support groups can provide crucial support.

2. Build Emotional Safety Through Community

When political forces try to isolate us, community becomes a lifeline.

• Join queer support groups – Talking with others who understand your experience helps reduce feelings of isolation.
• Create a chosen family – Not everyone has a supportive biological family that they can rely on for love and support. Building a network of trusted friends and allies creates emotional stability.
• LGBTQ+ spaces as safe havens – Whether it’s a queer-owned café, a local Pride center, or a virtual meetup, spaces where you can exist without judgment are essential for mental health.

👉 Connection reduces the physiological impact of stress by lowering cortisol levels and increasing feelings of safety.

3. Set Boundaries with Political and Media Exposure

Constant exposure to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and news can erode your mental health.

• Limit doomscrolling – Checking the news obsessively can heighten anxiety and feelings of powerlessness. Designate specific times for news consumption and avoid consumption during your wind down, pre sleep ritual.
• Curate your social media feeds – Follow queer creators and activists who inspire and uplift you rather than accounts that fuel stress or negativity.
• Take breaks when needed – Disconnecting from social media and political news isn’t avoidance — it’s self-preservation.

👉 It’s okay to stay informed without letting the news consume your peace of mind.

4. Develop Coping Strategies for Political Stress

Political hostility creates chronic stress — which impacts both mental and physical health.

• Mindfulness and grounding techniques – Deep breathing, meditation, and body scanning can reduce feelings of overwhelm.
• Exercise as stress relief – Movement (whether it’s yoga, running, or dance) helps regulate stress hormones and improve mood.
• Journaling – Writing down your thoughts and emotions helps process complex feelings and clarify your inner dialogue.
• Music – Both listening to and creating music enables you to tap into an internal part of yourself that is less cranial and more animalistic. Music can be both calming and exciting, both of which can redirect your body and mind from the political stress of the world.

👉 Develop a toolkit of coping strategies that are personal and applicable to you.  You can turn to these strategies when political stress becomes overwhelming.

5. Address Internalized Shame and Minority Stress

Growing up in a society that marginalizes queer identities can lead to deep-seated shame and self-criticism.

• Recognize if you have shame around your sexuality and / or identity – Isolating feelings of shame or guilt associated with your sexuality helps you start the journey to overcoming those feelings.
• Challenge internalized messages – Therapy and self-reflection can help dismantle harmful narratives around gender and sexuality.
• Practice self-compassion – Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer to a dear friend or beloved relative navigating discrimination and adversity.
• Seek out affirming role models – Representation matters. Following queer public figures and activists can help reinforce positive identity development. Whether you dive down a online rabbit hole researching Laverne Cox’s impressive career, read book after book of Audre Lorde’s poetry and activism or immerse yourself in James Baldwin’s writings, seeking out affirming role models helps support queer individuals during challenging times.

👉 Remember: You are not the problem. The system is.

6. Protect Your Joy — Because Joy is Revolutionary

Queer joy is a radical act in the face of oppression.

• Celebrate small victories – Whether it’s a personal breakthrough in therapy or seeing a pro-LGBTQ+ bill passed, acknowledging wins builds resilience.
• Engage in creative expression – Art, music, dance, and writing are powerful outlets for processing and reclaiming your experience.
• Make space for pleasure – Queer intimacy, connection, and sexuality are sacred. Protect them from political shame and erasure.

👉 Joy isn’t just an emotional state — it’s a form of resistance.

7. Engage in Political and Social Advocacy (Without Burning Out)

Advocacy can protect your mental health — but it’s important to find balance.

• Connect with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups – Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), GLAAD, and the Trevor Project offer opportunities to contribute to larger movements.
• Take strategic action – Focus your energy on actions that have tangible impacts, such as voting, fundraising, and community outreach.
• Rest is part of resistance – Burnout doesn’t serve the cause. Taking time to recharge strengthens your capacity for long-term activism.

👉 Resistance isn’t just about fighting — it’s also about preserving your energy for the long haul.

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

We are not meant to navigate political trauma alone.

• Suicide prevention resources – The Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline offer 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Emergency mental health services – Make a list of local mental health hotlines and crisis centers.
• Lean on your community – Asking for help is not weakness — it’s a sign of resilience and trust.

👉 You don’t have to handle this alone.

Resilience Is in Our Blood

Queer communities have faced political hostility before — and survived. From the Stonewall riots to the fight for marriage equality to ongoing battles for trans rights, our strength lies in collective resistance and care. Yes, the road ahead looks difficult — but we have the tools, the history, and the power to protect not only our legal rights but also our mental health.

Protecting your mental health is not selfish. It’s revolutionary.
We are not just surviving — we are building a future where queer joy, safety, and mental wellness are non-negotiable.

✨ “Survival is a form of resistance.” — Audre Lorde

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