Pride Month: The History of Pride and Advocacy in the LGBTQIA+ Community, And Effective Strategies for Mental Health Therapists


Written by Kelsey Someliana-Lauer, Therapy Practice Solutions Virtual Assistant

June marks Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, recognize its history, and advocate for continued progress. While Pride is a vibrant and colorful celebration, its origins are rooted in a history of struggle and activism. Understanding this history and the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community is crucial, particularly for mental health therapists who seek to support their clients effectively. This blog explores the history of Pride, the significance of advocacy, and what mental health professionals can learn to better serve the LGBTQIA+ community.

The modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement is often traced back to the Stonewall Riots of 1969. On June 28th of that year, patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village, resisted a police raid. This event ignited days of protests and served as a catalyst for the LGBTQIA+ rights movement in the United States and around the world. In June 1970, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the first Pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. 

Since Stonewall, LGBTQIA+ folx have achieved significant milestones as a prime example of their ability to show advocacy in their community, such as:

  • 1973: The American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder.

  • 2003: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down sodomy laws in Lawrence v. Texas, decriminalizing same-sex relationships nationwide.

  • 2015: The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in Obergefell v. Hodges.

  • 2020: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

So, what can mental health therapists in particular learn from the history of social justice and advocacy in the LGBTQIA+ community? The pros at Therapy Practice Solutions are here to help! Check out three Pride-inspired strategies to have effective sessions with LGBTQIA+ folx this month, and every month.

Strategy #1: Creating an Affirmative Therapy Environment

Affirmative therapy acknowledges and supports LGBTQIA+ identities - and all other identities, too! With LGBTQIA+ folx in particular, this approach involves:

  • Using inclusive language: Using clients' preferred names and pronouns.

  • Being aware of biases: Continuously reflecting on and challenging one's own biases and assumptions.

  • Educating oneself: Staying informed about LGBTQIA+ issues, culture, and terminology.

  • Advocating for clients: Supporting clients in navigating systems and advocating for their rights.

Strategy #2: Promoting Self-acceptance and Empowerment


Promoting self-acceptance and empowerment in LGBTQIA+ clients can foster resilience and well-being. In fact, helping clients establish autonomy and self-efficacy is in our ethical codes! This includes:


  • Affirming identities: Encouraging clients to embrace and celebrate their sexual orientation and gender identity.

  • Challenging internalized stigma: Helping clients recognize and dismantle negative beliefs they've internalized due to societal discrimination.

  • Fostering autonomy: Empowering clients to make decisions that align with their true selves and values.

  • Supporting self-expression: Encouraging clients to express their identities in ways that feel authentic and fulfilling.


Strategy #3: Addressing Trauma and Minority Stress


LGBTQIA+ individuals often experience trauma and minority stress, which can significantly impact mental health. Therapists can address these issues by:


  • Trauma-informed care: Using a trauma-informed approach that acknowledges the prevalence of trauma and its impact on LGBTQIA+ clients.

  • Coping strategies: Teaching and reinforcing coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety related to discrimination and prejudice.

  • Safe spaces: Creating a safe and supportive therapeutic environment where clients can explore and process traumatic experiences.

  • Advocating for systemic change: Engaging in advocacy to reduce systemic discrimination and improve the broader social environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals.


We hope this post helped inform you about the history of advocacy in the LGBTQIA+ community, and shared some effective strategies when working with LGBTQIA+ clients! At Therapy Practice Solutions, we know how important it is for you to use your time and energy in ensuring high quality care for your clients. If you’d like to offload tasks to make time for providing great care to your clients, reach out to us today. The pros at Therapy Practice Solutions would love to help you help others. We look forward to hearing from you!

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