BearCat Section – Do it For the Fame.

October is LGBT history month, and the theme this year is redefine gender. The kick-off of the month was the 2nd annual Baruch Pride Parade in the plaza. Members of the GLASS club marched around the plaza shouting “Homophobia must go!’ On October 17th, I attended the event Redefine Gender. It was a panel of Professor Glenn Albright and Latoya Connor, Ryan Androsiglio, Melissa Dumont and Michael Waldman who all discussed the topic of gender. The first open discussion question was about the subgroups within the LGBTQIA community. They worked off each other to create the reason for the subgroups. The reason is that as part of the LGBTQIA community the need to find a sense of identity is important and not only an identity but a place to belong and be accepted in. If someone identifies as gay they probably wouldn’t feel as accepted as in a transgender group since they have different needs. It is hard to develop a sense of identity since the bulk of our personality is developed at age six. Parents and values also shape who we become. Many members of the LGBTQIA community have an internal homophobia if they can’t individualize and find that since of self.

The panel goes on to talk about the self and how it can be damaged. The idea of self is very important in the LGBTQIA community because it is what makes us who we are. It isn’t uncommon to reject the self especially the parts that their family and friends don’t accept which leads to self judgement. This judgement is harmful to the self and can take a while to build back up. Emotions such as hatred, shame, confusion, stress, and depression can all be harmful to the self and lead to suicide and depression. When trauma occurs in the LGBTQIA community it is very damaging to the self and person. The trauma could be caused by abuse and bullying. This could lead to borderline personality disorder which is an unstable personality disorder.

The panel wraps up the discussion with talking about building up self esteem which is important. When any thoughts of suicide or self harm come into play that is when the person needs to seek medicine help. Psychotherapy or seeing a psychiatrist could mean all the difference. Mental health is your health and is just as important as your over all physical health.

Lisa M.