Being an LGBTQIA+ Ally Is a Verb

While June is a time to celebrate and uplift LGBTQIA+ voices, true allyship doesn’t end when the month does. It’s important to be reminded that being an ally isn’t just about showing support when it’s popular. It’s about how you show up in the quiet, everyday moments.

This support can be clear in the conversations you have behind closed doors. In the places where acceptance isn’t guaranteed. Whether that be on social media, with a friend, a family member, or a stranger on the street. Being an ally is a commitment that goes far beyond a rainbow-colored social media post or a temporary profile picture. 

For many LGBTQIA+ folks everyday life includes navigating microaggressions, discrimination, rejection, or fear of not being accepted (just to name a few). These realities don’t just impact one’s emotional well-being in the moment, but deeply affect their mental health. 

Supporting and advocating for LGBTQIA+ folks is a lifelong commitment to equality, diversity, and compassion for all people, exactly as they are. That’s why support, especially from allies like you and me, is so essential.

The Mental Health Impact on LGBTQIA+ Individuals

LGBTQIA+ individuals face a higher risk of anxiety, depression, trauma, suicidal thoughts and other mental health issues. Now let’s not forget that this is not because of who they are, but because of how society treats them. When someone grows up feeling different, unsafe, or invalidated it can lead to an entire mess of mental health issues.

Transgender and non-binary individuals often experience additional layers of stigma and barriers which makes them four times more likely to struggle with mental health. The lack of understanding from healthcare providers and assumptions about identity can make those spaces feel inaccessible or even harmful if it’s not affirming. That’s why creating safe, welcoming spaces where LGBTQIA+ people feel seen, heard, and validated is crucial.

What It Means to Be an Affirming Ally

An ally is someone who commits to understanding the needs and experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and takes intentional steps to advocate, uplift, and support them. But being an ally means so much more than that. It’s about celebrating LGBTQIA+ identities, advocating for equal rights, and standing up against injustice. Both publicly in your life and privately.

Whether you're a parent, friend, coworker, whoever you are, being affirming means creating space where someone can be fully themselves. It means listening without assumptions. It means educating yourself. It means having empathy and compassion. It means standing against harmful language or behavior. 

Even when it’s uncomfortable! And especially in those spaces where you don’t want to say anything or when someone’s voice is louder than yours. Support feels like such a small word to represent this connection between humans, but that is what our world needs more of. Let’s uplift one another and see each other as we are.

Therapy as a Safe Space for LGBTQ+ Allies

Let’s focus on the importance of therapy and the mental health space as an ally. Being an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community is deeply meaningful, but it can also bring up questions and maybe a few challenges. Many allies want to support their LGBTQIA+ friends, partners, or family members but worry about saying the wrong thing or not doing enough. Therapy for allies can be a powerful space to explore those feelings and grow in your understanding.

Counseling can allow allies to better understand how systemic oppression, discrimination, or family rejection impacts mental health. You might be able to learn how to listen, validate, and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ folks you love both privately and publicly. 

Being an ally isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, open, and willing to grow. Therapy provides a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can ask questions and process your own identity or beliefs. Ultimately allowing you to become a more grounded and resilient supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. Showing up for someone starts with doing your own inner work and therapy is the right place to begin.

How Catalyss Counseling Can Support You Or Those You Love

We understand that therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that LGBTQIA+ individuals have unique experiences that shape their mental health. That’s why our therapists take a personalized, compassionate approach, meeting each client where they are and walking beside them in their healing journey.

At Catalyss Counseling, we value inclusivity, intersectionality, and the celebration of all identities. We don’t just say we’re affirming – we live it! In the way we communicate, in the training we pursue, and in how we hold space for our clients. Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally looking for guidance, here you’ll find acceptance and genuine care with our therapists.

How We Can Help

Schedule a free phone consultation today to learn more and connect with one of our compassionate, affirming therapists. Whether you're seeking support for yourself or someone you care about, we’re here to help.

Author Biography

Cheyenne Gallagher is the Marketing Specialist at Catalyss Counseling. She creates content for our social media platforms and email newsletters while managing our other marketing campaigns. Cheyenne has a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and is very invested in counseling and how beneficial it is to all! Follow Catalyss Counseling on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Here at Catalyss Counseling, we want to meet all of your counseling needs in the Denver area. Our supportive therapists provide depression counseling, therapy for caregiver stress, grief and loss therapy, stress management counseling and more. We also have specialists in trauma and PTSD, women's issues, pregnancy and postpartum depression or anxiety, pregnancy loss and miscarriage, and birth trauma. For therapists, we can also provide clinical supervision! We look forward to connecting with you to help support your journey today.