If you live with a mental health condition and identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ), it’s important to prioritize your mental health. Not all members of the LGBTQ community will have the same experiences. However, discrimination, prejudice, denial of civil and human rights, harassment and family rejection are still tragically common for people with these identities.  LGBTQ people with mental health conditions may also find themselves fighting a double stigma. Many will experience prejudice based on their sexual and/or gender identity as well as the stigma associated with mental illness. Confronting these challenges and mental health symptoms can lead to better outcomes, and even recovery.

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Early intervention, comprehensive treatment and family support are key to helping LGBTQ people live well with a mental health condition. But many people in this community struggle in silence—and face worse health outcomes as a result.

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• LGB adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a mental health condition

• LGBTQ people are at a higher risk than the general population for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts

• High school students who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are almost five times as likely to attempt suicide compared to their heterosexual peers

• 48% of all transgender adults report that they have considered suicide in the past 12 months

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Our organization has had great success in partnering with LGBTQ communities in presentations, seminars, key note speaking events, and more.  The question we are commonly asked is why have we had such success and impact while the vast majority of our leadership team are heterosexual or straight?  The answer does not lie in our presentations or material, but rather in our beliefs.  We believe beyond any shadow of a doubt that Jesus commanded us to love EVERYONE as He has loved us.  There is no stipulation that we should only love those who "are like us," or those who are heterosexual, or those who act like Christ followers on the outside.  Instead, Christ said to love everyone.  We also understand that the Bible is explicitly clear that salvation is an act of God, not of man, solely given from His grace, not from your works and actions but rather your faith in him, there leaves little room for debate.  The Bible is more than clear that God wants a relationship with each person, including each person who identifies as LGBTQ.

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Our faith defines our heart and although we relish the opportunities to share God's love with anyone we can, we do work within the confines of the law of the land.  We do not push our faith on those who are unwilling, at school events, etc.  We are able to share a message of hope and love along with respect in those situations that require it.

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If you would like to discuss have DSF in to speak at your event, CONTACT US.

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If you are thinking about suicide and in need of immediate support, please call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386