The LGBTQ community brings together a cohort of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer’s whose identity and sexual preferences are different from the gender identities and conventional heterosexual relationships known to society.
LGBT’s fight a daily battle for acceptance, recognition, internal and external conflicts to live a happy life. Their mental conflicts and identity confusions begin at the beginning of their life which can often go unaddressed in the entire course of their lifetime. Lack of education, awareness, society pressure further attributes to dysphoria which adds to a tough life for millions across the globe.
To raise awareness of civil rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, the National Coming Out Day, or NCOD, is observed on October 11. Though not everyone can safely come out of the closet and while many share their coming out stories to inspire and support those who choose to keep their identities a secret, this day marks a very sentimental day for the LGBT group.
Historical Importance of the National Coming Out Day
The history of the National Coming Out Day (NCOD) dates back to 1987 when a march was organized on October 11th for the Lesbian and Gay rights in Washington. Popularly known as the Washington march, this event saw a participation of over half a million supporters.
Credit to Robert Eichsberg and Jean O’Leary who begin to celebrate Washington March in 1988, since then October 11th is special for the LGBTQ community. Several celebrities, public figures participate in rallies, discussion panels, workshops, seminars to observe and support the NCOD.
LGBT Rights and Mental Healthcare
Many individuals don’t come out are concerned with the social pressures that lead to higher rates of anxiety attacks. Many studies point that gays and bisexual men were three times more suspectable to depression and four times more prone to panic disorders than heterosexual men. Lesbian and bisexual women were four times more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders than heterosexual women.
Researchers estimate that the suicide attempt rates among self-identified transgender youth are as high as 50 to 88 percent. Here are the different mental health issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community-
- Anxiety
- Suicidal tendencies and suicide
- Mental Conflict
- Fear of family rejection
- Denial of Human Rights and Civil Rights
- Fear of contracting HIV Or STDs
- Harassment
- Exclusion and ostracization
- Removed or reduced family or social support
- Depression
- Phobic disorder
- Trauma
- Substance abuse
- Self-harming behaviors
Besides LGBTQ people who choose to come out face brutal jokes about their sexual orientation, with one in five admitted that they have been asked to dress more feminine or masculine by their co-workers as accepted by the society.
Several lesbians, bisexual women, and trans individuals share equally traumatic stories that they have faced with their friends and family. Many report violence, discrimination, sexual abuse, neglect, and social policing. Family trauma, peer pressure, and obstacles to siblings’ marriages are further reported by some transgenders who choose to share their identities to the world. Further, pitfalls include the challenges of accessing mental healthcare, using public transport, and public toilets.
Equal Human Rights for All
The LGBTQIA+ community is identified among the cohorts who are least represented in health equity across the world. Without the support of the society and a fulfilling community, they cannot stand alone to fight the social stigmas. In this Covid-19 pandemic, the need of the hour is the affirmative therapists, online counseling, and offline platforms who support, encourage the LGBT community to come out and battle their mental traumas.
Addressing health inequities by 2030 remains one of the Sustainable Goals of the United Nations’ and equal human rights and civil rights for all remains one of the crucial aspects to reach that goal. Coming out is one of the most courageous acts that is chosen by the LGBT community and on this National Coming Out Day that courage needs to be reinstalled to ensure continued progress toward full equality.
Online Mental Consultation with Gigadocs
To extend a helping hand to the LGBT community, online therapies and digital consultation provide a safer mode of counseling and consultation for individuals to discuss their fears and traumas and collectively work on healing themselves for a brighter future.
A happy mind free of stress and panic goes a long way to fight against the social prejudices against the LGBTQ community. Gigadocs practice management app supports the LGBTQ community with secure telemedical consultation over the phone of a video call with a registered digital doctor.
The LGBTQ people can discuss their fears, stress, and uncertainties with expert psychologists from their home, without the fear of being morally judged. Gigadocs Practice management app is available to download from the Play store and the Appstore and supports the LGBTQ community with-
- Digital appointment booking.
- Safekeeping of prescriptions and health records in an encrypted format.
- Recording vitals and facilitating their storage to share with the digital doctor on a live consultation.
- Regular tips on healthcare management, well-being to protect against Covid-19.
Avail the digital Consultation for Dentists, General Physician, Orthopaedic, Dermatologist, Ophthalmologist, Fever treatment, Diabetes, Kidney Stone treatment, eye surgeries specialist, and many more on the Gigadocs app.
To download the Gigadocs app-
- IOS App – apple.co/2W2iG4V
- Android App – bit.ly/33AQoRC
To know more and schedule a demo, e-mail, at info@gigadocs.com
