HONOURING LGBTQIA PRIDE MONTH AND THE NEED FOR CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE

June marks LGBTQIA Pride Month worldwide. A time to honour the resilience, visibility, and rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, and queer individuals. Rooted in the Stonewall riots of 1969, Pride Month is more than rainbow flags and parades; it’s a powerful reminder of ongoing struggles for equality, recognition, and acceptance across the globe.

While progress has been made, LGBTQIA+ individuals remain marginalised and continue to face stigma and discrimination, especially in cultures where non-heteronormative identities are still considered taboo or morally unacceptable.

In many parts of the world, LGBTQIA+ identities are met with silence, shame, or outright hostility. This cultural stigma doesn’t only affect how LGBTQIA+ individuals are treated in society. It infiltrates families, schools, religious communities, and healthcare systems. As a result, many people are forced to hide core aspects of who they are, often leading to isolation, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

This is where cultural awareness and culturally competent therapy become essential. Mental health professionals must recognise how culture shapes identity, beliefs, and the experience of queerness. For LGBTQIA+ individuals from conservative or traditional backgrounds, the weight of cultural rejection can be particularly devastating. Without culturally competent care, therapists may unintentionally reinforce stigma, overlook internalised shame, or fail to validate the client’s lived experience.

Culturally competent therapy goes beyond basic LGBTQIA+ affirmation. It involves understanding how intersecting identities such as race, religion, nationality, and gender — interact with queerness. It means meeting clients where they are, respecting their cultural ties, and helping them navigate the tension between cultural belonging and self-authenticity.

Pride Month is a celebration, but it’s also a call to action. It reminds us that equality must extend into every facet of life including mental healthcare. By embracing cultural awareness and competence, we can help ensure that LGBTQIA+ individuals receive the compassionate, inclusive, and effective support they deserve not just in June, but every day of the year.

At Tala Thrive, we connect you with culturally competent therapists and coaches who understand your culture, language and/or religion. Book your first session today at Tala Thrive and join our community to get the support you need.

Remember, we want you to thrive - mentally, physically, and emotionally - so you can start living the life you truly deserve. 

By Lola Akinmade