Pride month celebrations! What happens after the party?

There is a growing awareness among young people today of the continuum of diversity and inclusion. Inclusion in education is a crucial step toward the acceptance of differences such as gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, and appearance, however, it does not achieve its full potential in some educational settings.

According to Stonewall, half of LGBT young people (45%) - including 64% of trans young people - are bullied at school or college for being LGBT. Working in the education sector, these figures are not surprising. This month marks Pride Month, a time to celebrate a wide and diverse community. A variety of events are being held throughout the country to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion. This positive message, however, does not appear to be sustained in the workplace, in schools, or in colleges.

Working as a counsellor in the education sector can be challenging for these reasons and for the young people it impacts. Despite increasing recognition of the concept of being who we are in society, the reality of this concept is rarely evident. Counsellors working in the education sector often hear stories about young people who are afraid to be themselves because of the consequences that might result.

Conflict between youths and peers can destroy the life of a vulnerable individual by abusing diversity and inclusion. My experience as a school counsellor has allowed me to witness the fear, shame, and guilt that young people face daily. Although bullying manifests itself in whispers in school corridors or schoolyard abuse, we must also keep in mind that social media has amplified this bullying and fear-mongering to a much broader audience in our day and age.

As a result of events such as these, managing the aftermath can be challenging for young people, but institutions are becoming more initiative-taking in addressing the stigma associated with such events. In an increasing number of educational settings, LGBTQIA+ and their allies can meet and exchange thoughts and experiences. Through the creation of 'Pride clubs,' they commit to combating bullying culture.

All these factors contribute to the integration of an inclusive educational experience. Despite these initiatives being a positive step forward, there have been many reports of LGBTQIA+ youth presenting in the counselling room with suicidal thoughts and intentions. Even though most educational settings are now much more aware of their obligations to ensure diversity and inclusion, those who experience the fallout of this are still experiencing psychological issues, some of which persist into adulthood.

Platforms such as this and many others provide additional avenues for the youth of today to reach out and gain support. Young people can benefit from these platforms by supporting and facilitating change. There are times when accessing a private counsellor who understands issues beyond gender and sexuality as well as the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies can be beneficial. Having a non-judgemental, accepting, and genuine human being present can support and highlight the message that these young people are not alone in their struggles and do not need to face their challenges alone.

Many reputable counselling training curricula incorporate diversity and inclusion, which should offer some assurance to those seeking support for issues beyond their control. During Pride month, we celebrate milestones achieved and liberation. Despite this, it remains a challenge to integrate a diverse and inclusive culture after the party.