In May, we celebrated Mental Health Awareness month and now we are in the midst of Pride Month, a month for celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, of which I am a part, but I will note that I work in the field of mental health, which is not at all by coincidence.

Just a reminderer: homosexuality and bisexuality are not mental illnesses. Neither is listed in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5, the rather thick book that mental health professionals use in diagnosing mental health disorders. Gender dysphoria, the condition behind a person identifying as transgender, is listed in the current DSM, but dysphoria is identified as an extreme discomfort with one’s assigned sex, and like homosexuality and bisexuality, is not classified as a mental illness.

Still, being a member of the LGBTQ+ community can open one up to mental health issues that the majority of the population never has to deal with. Imagine having the courage to come out as a member of this community only to be scorned by a trusted loved one, or worse yet, multiple trusted loved ones. The feeling of rejection has caused more than a share of LGBTQ+ individuals to experience depression, with some folks potentially engaging in dangerous, self-harming, behaviors.  At the extreme, some queer people have sadly chosen to take their own lives to escape the emotional pain of rejection. Full disclosure: I am not proud to say that I was dangerously close to being such a statistic in the tumultuous days following my coming out in 2006. I feel lucky to be here.

It is extremely sad that the fear and ignorance of LGBTQ+ folks by others creates mental health struggles for individuals with no previous history of mental illness. That said, the fact that LGBTQ+ people get up everyday and make a positive impact on this planet shows the incredible strength and resilience of this community in the face of this public fear and ignorance speaks volumes. This is why we have a Pride Month with all its many celebrations.

I am thrilled that so many people outside of the community participate, and even though they support LGBTQ+ people, and have an idea of what they face, it is difficult for supporters to fully appreciate the difficulties of everyday life, particularly for the transgender members of the community in some areas of the country, or for that matter, the globe. If you’ve been paying attention, Trump has directed the federal government, and encouraged aligned state governments, to take an active role in trying to disenfranchise, and frankly erase, transgender individuals.

Considering I personally knew no transgender men or women when I came out back in 2006, and precious few boldly out gay and lesbian individuals or couples, even in this community, meeting these folks has opened my mind and expanded my horizons as to what is possible. I now count many wonderful friends who identify as LGBTQ+ and I couldn’t be happier. They have been so supportive, so caring toward me as I made my way along my journey. I have noted that many in this community have killer senses of humor that only someone in the the LGBTQ+ community can fully appreciate. It is Pride Month 2026 and I am extremely proud to be who I am.

Despite the efforts by the current administration to stomp out the LGBTQ+ community, I am thrilled to see the broad public support evidenced by all the Pride celebrations still happening despite the ignorance executive orders issued since January 20, 2025.

Mariel E. Addis is a native of Florence. She left the area for 16 years but returned in 2013.