Finding Affirming Spaces in a Hostile World
June is Pride Month—a time to honor LGBTQ+ identity, resistance, and joy. But for many this year, pride feels heavier. More complicated. Even dangerous.
With anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment rising and legislative attacks on our communities accelerating, Pride may not feel like something to celebrate. And yet, showing up in our truth, claiming space, and supporting one another has never been more important. Visibility itself can be an act of protest. So if you’re feeling conflicted about Pride this year, you're not alone—and your courage still matters.
For many LGBTQ+ people, that question—Is it safe to be myself?—isn’t hypothetical. It’s a daily reality.
And right now, that fear is growing. With the return of the Trump administration and a wave of state-level policies already targeting DEI programs, gender-affirming care, and trans rights, many queer and trans folks are facing another round of political and cultural attacks on their lives, bodies, and identities.
You might feel like your safety—physical, emotional, professional—is being quietly pulled out from under you. That every headline is another warning. That being out, open, or even visible comes with risk.
These aren’t irrational fears. They’re deeply valid responses to a climate that is, in fact, hostile. And if you’re feeling anxious, angry, exhausted, or numb—you’re not overreacting. You’re reacting appropriately to a culture that keeps telling you you’re a problem to solve or a threat to neutralize.
The Emotional Toll of Living in a Perpetual State of Defense
When the world feels dangerous, many of us go into survival mode. We scan for threats. We shrink. We brace ourselves for rejection—or prepare to fight.
But survival mode takes a toll. It can lead to:
Hypervigilance or emotional numbness
Shame and self-doubt about your identity
Isolation from community or chosen family
Burnout from constant advocacy and explaining
Anxiety and depression that quietly intensify
Living this way isn’t a sign of personal failure. It’s a response to collective trauma—and it deserves care, not minimization.
What Affirming Space Actually Means
An affirming space isn’t just “not hostile.” It’s actively supportive.
It’s a place where:
You don’t have to educate someone to be understood
Your identity is respected, not pathologized or questioned
Your pronouns, name, and language are honored
You can bring all of yourself without fear of judgment
You feel seen, not merely tolerated
Therapy should be one of those spaces. So should your relationships, workplace (when possible), and community. Affirmation isn’t a luxury—it’s a human need.
How to Protect Your Mental Health Right Now
In a time like this, mental health care isn’t optional. It’s protective. Here are a few ways to stay grounded:
Limit exposure to toxic media. Stay informed, but take breaks from the doom scroll. Your nervous system wasn’t built for constant threats.
Strengthen community ties. Lean into queer friendships, spaces, or online groups where you feel supported.
Set boundaries unapologetically. You don’t owe your story to anyone who hasn’t earned it. You get to say no to conversations that feel unsafe or draining.
Find providers who get it. Whether it’s a therapist, doctor, or coach—your care team should affirm who you are, without conditions.
Final Thoughts
You deserve safety. You deserve joy. You deserve space to be fully and unapologetically yourself.
And if right now you’re feeling afraid, depleted, or unsure how to move forward—I see you. There’s nothing wrong with needing extra support in a world that makes being yourself feel risky.
You don’t have to carry that weight alone.
Looking for an affirming therapist who gets it? Schedule a free consultation and let’s talk.
