Importance of LGBTQIA Affirming Care 🌈

Ariana Meinster, LMSW
Jun 12
3 min read

As of February 2025, CNN (2025) reports that it is estimated that 9.3% of the US

population identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This has almost doubled from what it was in 2020. Despite this, as a former MSW student and now a therapist that specializes in affirming care for the community, I have seen that the therapist community is barely educated on the importance and best practices of being an affirming provider. In my Masters program, only

one class that solely focused on working with the LGBTQIA+ community was offered to the students. Throughout my work as a therapist, I have been one of the main providers in the practices that I have worked for that specializes in this population. In 2025, now more than ever we are in need of more affirming providers for the community. The LGBTQIA+ and specifically the transgender community has been under regular attack from the US government through

several anti-LGTBQIA+ bills, with many directly targeting the transgender community. It has gotten to the point that I have heard many members question if it is even safe to go to Pride this year. This fear is adding an intense level of trauma to a community that has already endured centuries worth of bigotry and hatred solely for wanting to live their authentic lives.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), LGBTQIA+ adults are

more than twice as likely as straight adults to experience mental health concerns, and that number doubles for transgender individuals. As it relates to LGBTQIA+ youth, they are also twice as likely to experience symptoms of depression. Transgender youth, like adults, also double that number as it relates to depression symptoms. As it relates to suicide, in 2019 and 2020, LGBTQIA+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide (Johns et al., 2019;

Johns et al., 2020). My guess is that these numbers have only increased from there. There are many factors that contribute to these alarming statistics. LGBTQIA+ individuals are at a higher risk of rejection, trauma, substance use, homelessness, and inadequate mental health care.

NAMI also states that the LGBTQIA+ community may, unfortunately, end up facing harassment from the very providers that are supposed to be supporting them. There is also a high chance of a lack of cultural humility with providers, due to this not being a commonly talked about topic in graduate school or across continuing education classes. There is also a difficulty of forever changing terms and needs with the community. While in my masters program at University of Maryland School of Social Work, my professor for the LGBTQIA+ focused course stated “I am going to teach all of this to you and then we will have to do it all over again.” This emphasizes the importance of seeking out continuing education courses that focus on the best practices for working with this community. Yes, the information is ever changing but it is important information to learn as highlighted by the statistics mentioned above. This Pride

Month and all months moving forward I encourage all my fellow clinicians to learn more about supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and be able to provide a safe space free of harassment and bigotry to those in need!