June is Pride Month, a time to honor the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a significant historical moment for the queer rights movement in the United States. Pride Month is also a time to celebrate the impact, and struggle, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities have made at every level of our society around the world. Now especially, it is a time to reflect on how we can become better allies to the LGBTQIA+ communities – individually and as an organization.
At Integral Care, our goal is to provide our clients with person-centered care. This means we support our clients in a way that best fits their needs by working closely with them to create a care plan that supports their chosen positive health outcomes. When thinking about what it means to be in allyship with the LGBTQIA+ communities, I see parallels in this approach. It requires us to hold space and offer support and acceptance. It also requires us to step back, listen carefully and consider our worldview, so that we can uplift and amplify the voices of those within the LGBTQIA+ communities.
Another critical component of our person-centered approach is a commitment to educating ourselves.
When we know better, we can do better – as friends and loved ones and as providers. Last month, our staff attended trainings on gender affirming care, where they learned about Gender Affirming Care Across the Lifespan. This training provided a holistic framework to understanding and treating Gender Dysphoria that is trauma-informed and culturally responsive.
I encourage you to take the opportunity this month to continue your own education when it comes to being an active ally. The Human Rights Campaign has also put together a useful guide for beginners on how to be in better allyship with the LGBTQIA+ communities that includes helpful tips for having conversations around sexuality, sexual identity and expression, ways to show your support and more.
