How do informal networks enable LGBT individuals to survive, resist, and build community under oppressive social conditions, and what principles guide resilience?
LGBT individuals face challenges due to their sexual orientation and gender identity in many societies. They often experience marginalization, discrimination, stigmatization, and violence from family members, friends, coworkers, acquaintances, strangers, media, and governments. This can lead to mental health problems, depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, alcohol abuse, drug addiction, self-harming behaviors, isolation, and homelessness. How do they respond?
One way is through informal networks, which are groups formed without official organizational structure or hierarchy. They offer emotional support, practical assistance, and opportunities for political action. Informal networks are important because formal organizations may be unsafe due to legal threats or police repression. Informal networks provide safe spaces where LGBT people can meet other LGBT people, share experiences, discuss common concerns, develop strategies, and coordinate activities. Examples include online chat rooms, social clubs, artistic collectives, sports teams, book clubs, political groups, religious communities, and mutual aid networks.
Resilience guides these informal networks. Resilience refers to the ability to adapt and thrive despite adversity, trauma, and stress. It involves individual strengths such as optimism, flexibility, determination, persistence, creativity, self-confidence, and resilient coping skills. But it also involves community resources like trust, communication, solidarity, empathy, collaboration, resourcefulness, resistance, autonomy, and power. The principles of resilience guide LGBT individuals to build relationships with others who validate their identity, affirm their worth, celebrate their uniqueness, protect them from harm, empower them to act, enable them to speak out, and challenge oppressive forces.
In Brazil, a group called Casa Nem identifies vacant properties to house LGBT youth at risk of violence. In India, Kinnar Akhada offers spiritual guidance, rituals, and ceremonies to transgender people facing harassment and discrimination. In China, Queer Asia provides educational resources on sexual health and HIV prevention for lesbians. In Kenya, Gay Men's Health Crisis educates gay men about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. In Lebanon, Helem advocates for human rights and organizes events for LGBT people. These networks provide support when formal organizations cannot, enabling LGBT individuals to survive, resist, and build community under oppressive social conditions.
How do informal networks enable LGBT individuals to survive, resist, and build community under oppressive social conditions, and what principles guide resilience?
Psychologically, the development of strong interpersonal relationships is crucial for LGBT individuals' mental health due to a lack of support from mainstream society. Informal networks can provide such support through shared experiences, empathy, and solidarity. By sharing their stories and connecting with others who have been marginalized like themselves, LGBT people create a sense of belonging that strengthens their self-esteem and provides meaningful friendships.