Epress.am News from Armenia
Despite progress around the world, since the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from their classification of mental diseases twenty years ago, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) young people still suffer bullying, harassment and discrimination. This encourages them to keep their identity and behavior secret, and to avoid seeking out services that they might need, reads an Oct. 10 media release issued by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO).
IGLYO calls for greater support and protection for the LGBTQ people on World Mental Health Day (10th October) and International Coming Out Day (11th October). There is no health without mental health, and there is no mental health without a more accepting climate for LGBTQ people to live openly and powerfully. Until today, mental health issues such as depression, suicide, and addictions occur much more frequently in the LGBTQ community when compared to other communities. Not being able to come out and live openly with one’s sexual orientation adds significantly to poor mental health in LGBTQ young people.
In the last month we have seen the tragic stories of five young LGBTQ people who after untold pain, anguish and stress for being repeatedly bullied and harassed felt they had no option but to take their own lives. These stories which have reached the media and the public consciousness are only the tip of the iceberg of social exclusion suffered by young LGBTQ people.
Thus, IGLYO demands the retirement of Gender Identity Disorder from international diagnosis manuals. We also demand our governments to create international anti-discrimination laws to provide safe environments for young people.
We hope that World Mental Health Day and International Coming Out Day celebrations will bring everyone a renewed understanding of peace, justice and equality, that they will take with them in their daily lives.
Let it be a day of Pride, Love, Friendship, Peace and Kindness.