
The holidays can be a wonderful time of year, but they can also be difficult, especially for those of us in the LGBTQ+ community. We've created a short list of helpful tips to help you feel safe and make the most of this holiday season.
Practice Self-Care
Make sure you are aware of your triggers before you visit your family or friends. Then, create a list of self-care activities that can help to calm you down, should a trigger arise.
(e.g., listening to your favorite song, working out, reading a good book, calling a trusted friend, etc.)
Set Boundaries
Sometimes, when dealing with family and close friends, our boundaries can be met with resistance. They might struggle to understand your boundaries because they struggle with setting boundaries themselves. Though their resistance may be difficult, it's important to stay true to yourself. Ultimately, you know what's best for you and it's important to express that.
Create an Exit Plan
Just remember- you can always create an exit plan! If the conversation gets tense or the environment becomes uncomfortable for you, you have the right to excuse yourself.
Emergency Support
Trans Lifeline Support Hotline, (877) 565-8860 http://hotline.translifeline.org/
Trevor Project Lifeline (24 hours), 866-488-7386 (FREE). Online instant messaging with a counselor. http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741