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Intergenerational Trauma and Stonewall’s Anniversary

By Claire Butcher

Stonewall’s Anniversary:

June 28th marks the 56th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City, marking the origin of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. The six day long uprising was one of multiple rebellions that erupted after a history of police targeting queer spaces and criminalizing LGBTQ+ people. That night, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were the two BIPOC Stonewall Inn patrons to resist the police and throw the first bottles and bricks, beginning what we now remember as the Stonewall riots. Despite Stonewall marking the beginning of present-day queer and trans rights movements, much work still needs to be done.

Current systemic oppression is informed by the past – LGBTQ+ people are fighting many of the same battles stemming from years ago, leading to intergenerational trauma from victimization. 

Systemic Oppression and Trauma: 

It is important to note that systemic trauma did not end with the police brutality that jump-started Stonewall. Current legislation targeting queer and trans communities has specifically ramped up starting in 2022. The ACLU tracks Anti-LGBTQ bills attacking free speech, healthcare access, education, public accommodation, and more. Recent executive orders claiming to “restore biological truth” and “defend women against gender ideology extremism”, along with slashing DEI programs and funding for LGBTQ+ healthcare research, are a few examples of the past informing the present. Despite many of these bills and orders being fought, that does not mean they’re not harmful for the community. 

One day before Stonewall’s anniversary is National PTSD Awareness Day. The LGBTQ+ community is no stranger to the many experiences that can lead to post-traumatic stress – family rejection, physical and sexual violence, harassment, systemic discrimination and the minority stress that follows. Research shows that LGBTQ+ individuals are four times more likely to experience violent assault, making them more susceptible to developing PTSD in the future. Research in 2020 estimated around 48% of “LGB” individuals and 42% of transgender individuals in America meet criteria for the diagnosis. Lack of access to mental health care can exacerbate these symptoms, leading to increased risk of self-harm and suicide. More than half of LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S. were not able to get the mental healthcare they needed in the past year. 

The struggles that the LGBTQ+ community faces today are very similar to the ones we saw 56 years ago, manifesting into intergenerational trauma in the community. Intergenerational trauma is the “transmission of trauma” from past psychological damage to subsequent generations. This can take the form of hypervigilance, depression, suicidality, low self-esteem, substance use issues, and more. 

Building Resilience: 

Just as intergenerational trauma in the LGBTQ+ community is real, so is the resilience built in response. Enduring systemic trauma should not be required to build resilience. Brittaney Latta (LMFT) empowers clients and community to use our control to fuel ourselves to endure struggles to come. This can take the form of:

  • Remembering and retelling stories to build connection
  • Joining local queer/trans organizations to engage in community
  • Attending pride and social events to fight isolation
  • Staying informed and aware of current legislation impacting the community
  • Advocating for social justice and inclusive protections
  • Strengthening yourself by engaging in hobbies and surround yourself with loved ones
  • Fostering “Queer Joy” – in Brittaney’s words: “Make time for fun, laughter, and celebration. They are not frivolous. They are acts of rebellion”. 

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