The most wonderful time of the year is upon us – Pride season. With the month of June upon us, Pride Month is just getting started. For those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community or simply an ally, Pride Month is a celebration of love and community. Pride Month takes place in June and commemorates the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, calling for continued support towards unity, equality, and visibility for LGBTQ+ people around the world.
From June 1 to June 30 and beyond, we need to shine the spotlight on LGBTQ+ voices to raise awareness and knowledge. The best way to learn and celebrate is to hear and understand LGBTQ+ perspectives and experiences. By engaging with LGBTQIA+ stories, educational content, and activism, we can foster a more inclusive society.
In honor of Pride Month, we want to highlight some influential voices in the mental health and wellness community. Here, we profile 10 LGBTQIA+ content creators who are using their platforms to make a big difference in the world of mental health by providing support, education, and advocacy. Their work is focused not only on supporting individuals within the community, but also educating their peers to create a supportive environment for all.
- Zoe Stoller
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Zoe Stoller (she/they/he) is a licensed social worker, content creator, and speaker based in Philadelphia and New York City. Utilizing her social media platforms with over 100,000 followers, Zoe shares her story of self-discovery and inspires others to become their true selves.
- Hannah Daisy
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Hannah Daisy (they/she) is a mental health occupational therapist and content creator. She uses her expertise to communicate mental health issues through her illustration work on Instagram. To promote inclusivity and accessibility, Hannah includes image descriptions in her captions. Her work is truly beautiful.
- Haley Jacobson
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Haley Jacobson (she/her) is a Brooklyn, New York-based author. Her debut novel Old Enough She was named a New York Times Editor’s Choice and a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Best Bisexual Fiction. When she’s not making history at The New York Times, she advocates for mental health and wellness, queerness, and Condé Nast’s complex feeling And LitHub.
- Sam Srpski
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Sam Srpski (they/them) is another writer and content creator based in Austin, Texas. Sam is courageous. At the forefront of important issues, Sam brings an authentic voice to topics such as mental health, queerness, and disability justice. Through her newsletter, Nourishing Notes, and her Instagram platform, Sam’s passion is unmistakable.
- Kenny Ethan Jones
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Kenny Ethan Jones (male) is making history. An advocate for body politic, mental health, and menstruation, he is the first trans man to spearhead a menstruation campaign. In his novel, Dear Cisgender People,He uses his calls to action to motivate people to become allies in creating meaningful change for transgender people around the world.
- Bunny Michael
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Bunny Michael (they/them) not only posts some of the most relatable Instagram content, they’re also friends. They understand. Through their book, Hello, Higher Self, they acknowledge the overabundance of anxiety and self-doubt that dominates our existence. They bring a vulnerable perspective that acts as a catalyst for healing.
- Anna Zoe Quirke
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Anna Zoe Quirke (they/them) is a queer, neurodiverse author based in Lancashire, UK. Their debut novel, about heartache and friendship, will be published next week on June 6th, but has already been supported by amazing reviews. They are passionate about stories that help queer people feel accepted and belong in the world. Anna Zoe Quirke (they/them) is a queer, neurodiverse author based in Lancashire, UK. Their debut novel, about heartache and friendship, will be published next week on June 6th, but has already been supported by amazing reviews. They are passionate about stories that help queer people feel accepted and belong in the world.
- Sophie Butler
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Sophie Butler (she/her) is an inspiration. She has been at the forefront of promoting fitness and wellness as a way to support the LGBTQIA+ community. At the age of 21, Sophie suffered a severe spinal cord injury in an accident. Since then, she has overcome it to show how inclusive and accessible wellness and fitness can be.
- Hannah Hart
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Author and actress Hannah Hart (she/her) is a passionate advocate for mental health. She has used her fame to discuss mental health, a topic we should never face alone. She has spoken openly about her own experiences, including growing up in a homophobic household, which she has written about in her books. Buffering: A Life-Cracked, Untold Story.
- Dr. Sarah Hye Lim Moon
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Dr. Sarah Hye-rim Moon (she/her) is a queer Korean immigrant who works as a clinical psychologist specializing in the intersection of race and sexuality. She Cut Fruita podcast that sparks conversation and passion from a queer Asian perspective
Each of these creators has used their platform to effect meaningful change. Their work is truly inspiring and a force to be reckoned with. Celebrate Pride!
If you or someone you know is seeking help for LGBTQ+ mental health or safety concerns, please call The Trevor Project’s 24/7 Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386). You can also get support by instant messaging or text message via TrevorChat and TrevorText. For additional resources for transgender people, call the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860. In an emergency, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911.
