9781422275290

Further, he explains the other part of the definition, “feel they belong together”: “Communities address one of the most fundamental human needs: we want to be loved, we don’t want to be lonely and we want to know that we belong somewhere. Real communities give us this sense of home, this sense of family, this sense of ‘these are my peers.’ This is my tribe, this is where I belong. In this group, I am being accepted for who I really am.” In other words, community is whoever makes us feel understood, accepted, and supported. Unsurprisingly, psychologists have found that those with strong community support are less likely to experience depression and are better able to handle difficult circumstances that might come up in life. Community makes us stronger. Community is not a passive thing. It is something that we actively participate in, whether we realize that is what’s happening or not. When your friend is having a bad day, and you tell them you know how they feel, you are helping them feel understood. When your parent helps you finish your homework, they are showing that they support you. And when someone lets you know that they understand what you are going through and that they accept you and love you as an LGBTQ person, they are showing you that you are part of their community. This is what the LGBTQ community is for many people. When so much of the world has not been accepting, LGBTQ people have looked to each other for support and acceptance. The purpose of this book is either to help you find that community while still in school, or if you’re not able or ready to do that right now, to help you see the community that will be there waiting for you when you are ready. Chapter 1 introduces you to the idea of what it means to be LGBTQ. Chapter 2 shows you opportunities for community that may be available to you in your local area. Chapter 3 gives information about how to find community online. Chapter 4 shows you the diversity within the LGBTQ community and how that can help you find people who understand more than one aspect of who you are. Finally,

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Introduction