A Thriving Community: LGBTQ+ People Reimagine Their Lives

For me, being a part of the LGBTQ+ community comes with a sense of strength, possibility, and empowerment. We have to overcome so much just to be our true selves, and the path we travel to be that self is both difficult and empowering. Yet unburdened by the “norms” of our world, being LGBTQ+ can mean a diversity of possibilities.

I think the experience and process of coming to terms with who we really are – whether that is a gay man, a trans woman, a queer person, or any other identity, can imbue us with the sense that anything is possible. I’ve seen this fighting spirit most prominently in my own work. I am so heartened by how people in the Community thrive and give back, and how these experiences help them step more fully into their authentic selves.

As I’ve worked with the LGBTQ+ community, I’ve come across numerous stories that have touched and given meaning to my work. I wanted to share some observations of how Community members have made progress and shifted their thinking despite the challenges that have come with being LGBTQ+.

Imagining a new future

One of the subtlest ways I’ve witnessed folks begin to think differently is simply in the planning and imagining of something bigger for their life. Over the past five years, I’ve realized that many in the Community didn’t think about their futures because they couldn’t picture one – whether that was because they lived through the AIDS epidemic, or had to stay closeted, or didn’t have the same rights as others (or all of the above). I see how long-term, committed couples take advantage of what’s being offered to them now after years of wondering if they would ever enjoy the same rights as their heterosexual peers. Now that they can plan for a future, they feel more secure moving forward together. Watching folks embrace who they are and use that self-knowledge to shape their lives is a testament to the inner strength, resilience, and power we all have.

A career that’s true to who we are

Perhaps the most prominent way clients embrace who they are is through their choice of career; they’ll often start a business or go back to school. Countless people we work with are also in helping professions; we work with therapists and doctors, to name a few. I’ve seen several clients take the time to think about what they really wanted, like leaving a corporate job they’ve had for years to chart their own course (and be wildly successful doing it!). I see their choice as an example of how people bravely walk through doors that are now open to them.

What clients choose to do with their money also aligns with their sense of self – whether that is giving back to the Community or using their finances to build a business that will help others. I myself started my business to help folks in the Community think more expansively about their aspirations, and then give them the tools to pursue those dreams.

Creating families our own way

Seeing both individuals and partners of all identities start families is another testament to how Community members have expanded their vision of what’s possible. You don’t need a degree in biology or finance to understand the challenges that exist for LGBTQ+ folks who want to have kids. We have worked with lesbian couples who are navigating the ins and outs of getting pregnant, dealing with insurance, along with the inherent biases in the system. We supported a gay man looking to start a family on his own through surrogacy, who had the drive to save up the money needed to make it happen. A trans client wanted to become pregnant and create their own path, despite all the obstacles that existed. I take all these examples of people navigating and overcoming enormous hurdles to have a family as another sign that our Community is thriving.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way

What all of these stories have in common is simple: a will to go after what you truly want from your life and not let the challenges of being LGBTQ+ stop you. Let’s be real: for much of our recent history, things like fulfilling careers, having a family, or even just imagining a future, have felt out of reach, impossible, or dangerous. But we are evolving. I don’t want to minimize the significant and life-threatening obstacles that exist, especially for trans folks in the present day. That is why we keep fighting for each other as a Community. We push to redefine our lives for ourselves on our terms. And when we succeed, we give the gains of those successes back to the Community. We are thriving despite the obstacles, and that is significant and worthy of celebration. Have a happy and safe Pride!