Celebrating Queer Joy and Resistance
This month at Centering Wholeness Counseling, we’re highlighting queer resiliency. The acknowledgment of the history surrounding Queer pain and resilience by centering our focus on uplifting and amplifying ways to enrich the lives of Queer communities. Undoubtedly, the Queer community has endured many hardships throughout the many movements that have changed the social landscape of America. At times, the Queer community is ostracized for their contributions to society without being viewed as equals. Whether it’s the civil rights movement, third-wave feminism, or various musical and artistic revolutions, Queer people have historically been deprived of proper credit
Along with that, we must also acknowledge the issues of queer people who exist at the intersection of queerness and BIPOC communities, which brings its own myriad of challenges. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two queer people of color, progenitors of the LGBTQ+ movement. There is no queer movement with Black and queer people of color.
We want to use this month to highlight the queer self-acceptance and resiliency by issuing these affirmations that we hope promote comfortability and self-acceptance:
My identity is valid.
Choosing to be myself means I am choosing freedom.
I value who I am and who I’m becoming.
I release those who don’t accept me and welcome those who love me.
I deserve to live life unapologetically.
I have the right to exist as my authentic self.
I allow myself to shine.
My presence is needed.
I am not defined by what others think of me.
I do not need to diminish myself for the sake of everyone’s comfort.
I do not need to explain or justify my identities to those who detract from it
I embrace to be at my highest self, even if it makes others uncomfortable.
I am blooming more beautifully each day.
I am enough.
Comfortability and self acceptance are key to succeed in a world that continues to marginalize and oppress. Even though we still have a long way to go we have to recognize we have come far and today there are many organizations advocating for justice and equality. Advocacy and prevention are steps we need to continue to take to stop hate crimes, violence and suicides. Let’s advocate for one another and use resources in Mental Health America to spread love and justice.
Centering Wholeness Counseling continues to empower the Queer community, by offering our services and support. We believe everyone should have access to mental health and although not everyone has, we are working hard to make it accessible for everyone. Therefore, we have created a summer retreat called “Wholenes, not perfection” a space open to ALL individuals looking to prioritize their mental health and wellness. If you are someone who has been thinking about therapy but still don’t know if this is a good fit, we’d love to encourage you to register and attend. This FREE/VIRTUAL retreat is happening this Saturday June25th from 10:00am-1:30pm EST and Sunday June 26th from 11:00am-1:30pm.