Breaking The Ice: Social Tips For LGBTQ+ Folk

Even though modern society tries to be more PC friendly, trying to be social with other people while coming to undestand your own sexuality can be an extremely intimidating task. Any member of LGBTQ+ community can testify about that. So here I gather some main tips from first and second hand experience to help make someone's life out there a bit easier.

Make the First Step!

It’s true that some people still display an awkward and often reluctant behavior towards LGBTQ+ individuals or groups, yet in the majority of the cases, this does not derive from a prejudice. People still feel awkward and unsure when interacting with something unfamiliar to them. If an LGBTQ+ person would make the first move towards meeting and getting to know a non-LGBTQ+ person, both would come to a higher level of understanding and acceptance. Applied at a much larger scale, this would represent a safe and honest way to a better world.

Be Yourself!

Pretty standart, but my God is it ever important! All individuals are essentially different and one of the society’s major achievements was that of gathering many different personalities into organized communities, living in understanding and acceptance of one another. LGBTQ+ people should not feel fear or shame in presenting themselves in the real light as most people will accept them and overcome their fundamental differences, focusing on other general qualities and capacities. If a person or a group of people deemed as average are unable to understand and accept this difference, then the actual question should be about the quality of the community they are a part of, not you as the individual.

Don’t Try Too Hard!

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Subsequently to being open about themselves and talking openly, LGBTQ+ people should also pay attention not to fall into the completely opposite category. One of the natural human reactions to acceptance is represented by an extreme feeling of joy and gratitude and the need to repay or reward this by any means possible. Becoming extremely polite and always asking questions about their general mood or comfort can come to be slightly irritating. Understanding the fact that there is nothing to overcompensate for is essential.

You Don't Have to Prove Anything

Thing I learned the hard way - you are always you. You don't neet to prove to anyone who you are and what you're like. Live and act the way that makes you feel comfortable. When facing social pressure coming in contact with people it is easy to apapt some sort of a role and act the part - but that part isn't you. This facade is not healthy for you. We come out as who we are to get rid of all the pretending, so the last thing you'd need is to act up how different you are, or even the reverse - how there're no big differences. If trying your best result in living an uncomforable life, maybe it's time to move on, after all there's a lot of fish in the ocean.

In the end, it all translates down to being a decent person and manifesting patience and empathy for other people. The differences between individuals are not of any major importance when it comes to being a part of the community while the simple and common human qualities that are present in the majority are actually the binding elements that form peaceful societies. Ignorant and arrogant people will keep being bigots no matter what you do, so keep in touch with decent people and don't waste your life on those who revel in negativity.