Understanding LGBT and Mental Health issues

Understanding LGBT and mental health issues

*(LGBT - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender)

My motivation

While I was 11 years old, my 14 years old sister told me that she liked a girl in her school. My immediate response was " A girl, what do you mean?" She replied with hesitance " Yes, a girl, not a boy, is it something wrong with me?" However, I was too young to understand the underlying meaning  and potential risk behind this question. I had no idea how to reply her on this, but as a younger sister, I gave her the listening ear and promised her to keep this secret from our parents.  For the next ten years, this secret was well kept by both of us. My sister had several  girlfriends but the relationship were always not long lasting. In this ten years, I listened to her stories and understand her feelings and struggles as a lesbian and how it impeded her academic performance and her self-identity. After ten years of hiding behind the closet, she finally "came out" and brought her girlfriend home to meet my parents. It was definitely a chaos in my family at that time but I see it as "evolution" in our family relationship,  and definitely a huge break through for my sister and I was grateful and pleased to see her "coming out" . Presently, my sister and her girlfriend have been together for 10 years and they are planning to have their family soon in the next 5 years.  

I was thankful to have my sister, her unique experiences let me understand lesbian and gay (LG) issue  a decade early than my peers. Other than her stories and experiences, I also heard stories from her LGBT friends.  Their experiences with  discrimination, prejudices , and heterosexism have strongly motivated me to appreciate LGBT group and stand up for their rights. On the other hand, I am also upset with how little the people in our society know about LGBT issues at the first place. Without the understanding of LGBT issues and their struggles, how could we advocate for their rights? 

By having an opportunity to develop a blog for my course, I believe this blog will be a wonderful platform for me to share my experiences with LGBT individuals and LGBT issues, and most importantly , the research findings that related to their physical and mental health.

Please feel free to post your response and feedback on my blog, I would like to hear from you as well. It will be great if you could share your own experience and insight on LGBT issues.