by Anderson Witiak, Recovery Café Community Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator
This month, we celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Pride Month is a time to honor the diverse histories, contributions, struggles, triumphs, and identities within the community. This year, the United States has seen a grave increase in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and speech, so it is all the more important to support and listen to those in the LGBTQ+ community this June.
The pride flag shown above is called the Progress Pride Flag, and it looks slightly different from the rainbow flag we are all used to seeing! More information about this flag and its history can be found here.
We would like to recognize that those who are both LGBTQ+ and in recovery often face unique challenges along their journeys. Statistically, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to have a substance use disorder than those who are non-LGBTQ+. Individuals in this community often face social stigma and shame as well as barriers accessing and engaging in medical and mental health care, which makes maintaining long-term recovery incredibly challenging. Additionally, those who are LGBTQ+ are more likely to experience housing instability, housing discrimination, and homelessness. At Recovery Café, we seek to uplift the LGBTQ+ community and understand their unique recovery challenges during Pride Month and beyond.
Recovery Café is a sponsor of Seattle PrideFest this year! Please feel free to drop by our table and say hello on Sunday, June 25th at Seattle Center (Fisher Green, G2).