Trust plays a crucial role in maintaining close bonds between friends, regardless of their genders or sexual orientations. It helps build a strong foundation for communication, understanding, honesty, respect, and accountability within the relationship, which can last beyond space and time.
This notion becomes even more important when it comes to maintaining queer friendships, wherein there is an added layer of vulnerability due to societal prejudices and pressures. In such cases, trust acts as a moral practice that sustains these friendships by creating an environment of openness, acceptance, and support, allowing them to flourish and grow stronger despite physical separation. The importance of trust in queer friendships can be understood through several reasons, including the following:
1. Trust creates safety - Queer friendships are often built on a shared sense of alienation from mainstream society, which means that they need spaces that allow them to express themselves without fear of judgment or rejection. Trust provides such a space, enabling both parties to share personal experiences, feelings, and thoughts freely, leading to greater intimacy and mutual understanding.
If one party is going through a difficult situation like coming out, the other person's trust allows them to seek advice, comfort, and support without hesitation, knowing that they will not be judged or rejected for who they are.
2. Trust facilitates connection - Building trust requires active listening, empathy, and validation, all of which strengthen the bond between two people. When friends trust each other, they are able to connect at a deeper level, sharing ideas, beliefs, and emotions with greater ease. This leads to a stronger friendship, wherein both parties feel heard and valued, resulting in more meaningful conversations and interactions.
If one friend confides in another about their struggles with mental health, the other's trust helps them open up fully and receive genuine help and support.
3. Trust fosters resilience - Friendships require constant work and maintenance, especially when individuals live far apart or have busy schedules.
Trust allows them to stay connected even when separated physically, as it encourages frequent communication and accountability. When both friends know they can rely on each other for anything, they are less likely to drift away due to lack of attention or disinterest, making the relationship more resilient over time.
If one friend faces a crisis while abroad, the other's trust enables them to reach out immediately and get the necessary assistance or guidance.
4. Trust promotes growth - Maintaining queer friendships requires effort and commitment from both sides, but trust makes this process easier by creating an environment of collaboration and mutual benefit. Both friends work towards building a better version of themselves and their friendship, knowing that their efforts will not be taken advantage of or exploited. As a result, they grow together personally and professionally, becoming more confident and capable in their relationships with others.
If one friend is pursuing higher education, the other's trust encourages them to share their experiences and learnings, leading to personal development and professional success.
Trust acts as a moral practice that sustains queer friendships across time and distance by providing a safe space for vulnerability, facilitating deeper connection, fostering resilience, and promoting growth. While it may seem difficult to maintain, it is essential for any close bond to thrive and flourish beyond physical separation, offering a powerful way to build meaningful relationships that challenge societal norms and prejudices.
In what ways does trust operate as a moral practice that sustains queer friendships across time and distance?
Trust is an essential element of any friendship, including those between people who identify as LGBTQIA+ individuals. Trust allows friends to be vulnerable with one another, share intimate details about their lives, and rely on each other for support. In the context of long-distance relationships, trust is even more critical because it provides a sense of security and connection when physical closeness is not possible.