With Pride Month in full swing, many people are celebrating the progress in queer culture, safety, and identity. Mental health professionals everywhere are advocating their LGBTQIA+ affirming approaches, and rainbows can be found in business windows, on websites, in clothing, and a seemingly endless variety of other places.

While there is a great deal to be celebrated about queer love and identity, acceptance is by no means widespread or universal. Many people still live in cultures and communities where embracing queer identity is dangerous and finding support feels like a losing game. Sadly, the mental health profession is one of those areas where people have historically struggled to find safety and support from providers.