My dear friend and trusted colleague Whit Ryan was selected as a Point Foundation Scholar this year, to help support his graduate studies in sports psychology focusing on the needs and well-being of queer and trans athletes. He’s written a two-part blog post, beginning here and finishing at the Point Foundation’s blog, on being queer at the holidays and coping with questions like “should I go home? How do I deal with all my family’s BS if I do? How will they penalize me if I don’t?” that inevitably come up for LGBTQ people with less-supportive families.
Among other things, he offers some great resources for those who may be feeling lonely, alienated, or even suicidal – a common experience for marginalized people during this “festive” season. He includes a link to one of my favorite non-profits, the trans* and gender-queer crisis line Trans LifeLine, where I’m proud to be an advisory board member.
Take care of yourselves out there.