How To Celebrate National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week
In 2025, people across the United States will celebrate National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week from March 17th through the 21st. This week drives awareness of the millions of LGBTQ+ people who struggle with their mental health. Below, learn about National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week, the health challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide, and ways to support this diverse community.
National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week
In 2025, the United States will celebrate its 23rd annual National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week. The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health founded this celebration to call attention to the health needs of the diverse LGBTQ+ community. The coalition represents LGBTQ individuals as well as advocates and healthcare providers. The theme of the 2024 celebration was “Vital Vibrant Voices,” which emphasized the “VITAL role of VIBRANT and diverse VOICES in raising awareness about the health challenges facing the LGBTQ community.”
According to the American Psychiatric Association, individuals from the LGBTQ community are more than twice as likely as heterosexual individuals to experience a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. They also tend to experience more physical health problems, which can affect mental health and vice versa. In 2025, numerous organizations nationwide will contribute to educating the public on timely and relevant issues that affect LGBTQ+ individuals in the context of health care and mental health services.
Health disparities for LGBTQ+ individuals
According to the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health, individuals in the diverse LGBTQ+ community are more likely than the general population to report having poor mental and physical health. They may experience a greater risk of infections, chronic fatigue, and arthritis. Harvard Medical School states that LGBTQ+ people have a higher risk of dying by suicide, contracting cardiovascular disease, and experiencing a list of other health problems compared to others in the population.
In part, health disparities may be the result of care avoidance due to fear of discrimination. One study published in The Annals of Family Medicine in 2024 found that sexual minorities and gender minorities (SGMs) were more likely than heterosexual peers to report care avoidance due to patient-clinician identity discordance (PCID), and this was after the study’s authors adjusted for socioeconomic characteristics. The authors stated that they found this pattern among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary adults.
Mental health disparities
Disparities don’t only exist in health care but also in mental health care. In some cases, this statistic may be related to higher levels of adverse childhood experiences among LGBTQ individuals compared to their peers. One study published in 2021 states that “although LGBT has been legalized in many countries, LGBT communities still experience significant mental health challenges,” often including stigmatization, emotional distress, and barriers to care.
Research suggests that LGBTQ+ individuals experience a higher prevalence of depression, suicidal ideation, and substance use. Also, stigma and a lack of LGBTQ+ mental health providers can make seeking care more difficult, which can exacerbate symptoms. This barrier can be especially challenging for people from racial and ethnic backgrounds that differ from those of providers in their community or immigrants who don’t have documentation or insurance.
How can society reduce disparities?
Reducing health disparities may involve intense advocacy efforts to foment more culturally sensitive care and LGBTQ-specific training for medical and mental health providers. Providers who have received training can foster informed dialogue about the issues facing LGBTQ individuals, including matters related to sexual health and gender-affirming care. Both federal and local advocacy can lead to meaningful engagement about LGBTQ health care in general and transgender health needs specifically.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ individuals
While supporting LGBTQ+ individuals can involve raising awareness about health disparities, using a strengths-based approach to advocacy can also be important. The LGBTQ+ community comprises highly diverse individuals who contribute to all areas of society, from education and health care to business and the arts. National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week can serve as a time to recognize the contributions of these individuals and not just focus on the challenges they often face. Celebrating LGBTQ+ accomplishments may help reduce stigma and improve mental health as people feel celebrated for who they are and their indispensable contributions to their local community.
Mental health care for LGBTQ+ individuals
Fighting for improved health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals may involve advocating for more mental health services for this diverse community. While there are many LGBTQ+ therapists, other therapists can do their part by educating themselves on LGBTQ+ topics and advertising their therapy practice as being open and affirming to LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
Individuals can also support this community by posting information about mental health services online or in the local community. Advocates may make a difference by spreading information about local organizations that provide care for LGBTQ+ individuals, such as local community centers, crisis hotlines, and local therapy practices.
Alternative therapy for LGBTQ+ people
Some LGBTQ+ individuals might live in an area with few healthcare professionals who understand their challenges. Others may experience an environment in which they fear coming out, even if there are local LGBTQ+ therapists. In these cases, they may feel more comfortable with online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp.
Online therapy options
Online therapy often allows individuals to choose from thousands of therapists around the country, so they don’t have to worry about divulging information to someone in their community unless they choose to do so. They can also select the most comfortable communication method for them, such as audio, video, or live chat. Some online therapy services allow people to reach out to their therapist anytime through in-app messaging, allowing their therapist to respond whenever possible. They may find this feature helpful if they experience stigma, discrimination, or emotional challenges between therapy sessions, as they can communicate what they’re feeling in the moment instead of waiting until their next session.
In recent years, several studies have demonstrated online therapy's effectiveness. One study published in 2017 concluded that internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)—an evidence-based practice—was effective for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder, and substance use disorders, which research suggests can be prevalent among LGBTQ+ individuals.
Takeaway
National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week can serve as an opportunity to raise awareness about some of the health disparities often faced by the diverse LGBTQ+ community. Educational and advocacy efforts can make a difference and may lead to reduced disparities and improved mental health care. If you’re experiencing mental health challenges, know that you don’t have to face them alone. Reach out to a therapist online or in your area to receive support.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some common questions related to National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week.
What day is National LGBTQ Day?
Some people refer to National LGBTQ Day as National Coming Out Day, which is celebrated on October 11th.
What is April 26th in the LGBT community?
April 26th is Lesbian Visibility Day, which is celebrated in numerous countries around the world during Lesbian Visibility Week.
What months are LGBT celebrated?
The overall LGBTQ+ community is celebrated during Pride Month in June. In 1999, President Clinton established “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” in June. In 2009, the month was named “LGBT Pride Month” by President Obama.
How can you celebrate National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week?
LGBTQ Health Awareness Week can serve as a time to advocate for more informed care for LGBTQ+ individuals. This week can also be an opportunity to dispel myths about HIV and other topics that many people still don’t understand. Aside from advocating for more culturally informed health care, this special week can serve as a time to celebrate the accomplishments of LGBTQ individuals in your community, which may lead to more acceptance and improved mental health.
Why is LGBTQ+ awareness important?
LGBTQ+ awareness is important because people in the LGBT+ community are at a higher risk of many forms of oppression, including hate crimes, lack of access to basic needs, and bullying. Below are some statistics that show the importance of LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts:
- In 2022, 45% of all LGBTQ+ youth (millions of children and teens) seriously considered committing suicide.
- 13% of LGBTQ+ people report experiencing discrimination from healthcare providers to the point that they were denied services.
- 28% of LGBT youth report housing insecurity or homelessness, often due to their identity or expression.
- Transgender individuals are six times as likely as the general population to experience a mood or anxiety disorder and more than six times as likely to attempt suicide that results in hospitalization.
What is the national advocacy of the LGBTQ community?
There are several national organizations and nonprofits dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. You can check out a few of them below:
- The National LGBTQ Task Force: Legal initiatives and activism to support the rights of LGBTQ Americans
- The Human Rights Campaign: Legal activism
- The ACLU: Legal activism, not solely focused on the LGBTQ+ community but often oriented toward human rights violations
- The Trevor Project: An organization offering support to LGBTQ+ youth 25 and younger who need mental health support
You can find more organizations, resources, fundraisers, and grants at GLAAD’s resource list, which offers an updated list of all resources.
How can you spread awareness about the LGBTQ community?
One way to spread awareness about the LGBTQ+ community is to post statistics online, resource lists, and hashtags about the LGBTQ+ community. You can also amplify queer voices by sharing works of art, writing, and music by LGBTQ+ creators. Another way to show awareness is to show up at protests, activist events, and fundraisers. If you aren’t able to show up physically, you can send donations, make phone calls to representatives, or show your support by asking how you can help.
What are the benefits of coming out as LGBTQ?
There are several benefits of coming out as LGBTQ, including the following:
- A sense that you are living as your true self in public
- Increased self-esteem from being honest with yourself and others
- An alleviation of the stress of “being in the closet”
- An increased ability to find other people in the LGBTQ community to make connections with
- Positive changes in some relationships with loved ones
- Increased confidence from being able to express your identity and style in the way that connects best with you
What is a famous LGBTQ quote?
Below are three famous LGBTQ quotes:
- “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” -Audre Lorde
- “Darling, I want my gay rights right now.” -Marsha P. Johnson
- “She’s my role model, my traveling companion, my most reliable source of light, my fortitude.” -Elizabeth Gilbert
- “To be yourself is truly a revolutionary act, and I think more and more people should try it, because it’s gotten me a pretty cool life.” -Lena Waithe
How can you make people in the LGBTQ community feel included?
Include LGBTQ+ people as you would include anyone else. You can also include them by ensuring you understand the unique challenges this community may face that cisgender and heterosexual people don’t. When you meet someone, introduce yourself with your pronouns to make it a safe space for them to do the same if they want to.
You can also avoid singling them out for LGBTQ+ events or topics, as they may not always want to speak on this topic, drive meaningful engagement, or be part of pride events. Finally, if this is a workplace setting, make the workplace safe by ensuring policies are enacted that protect people from discrimination and bullying. Having generous mental health support options available can also be helpful for those who have decision-making abilities in HR.
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