#safehavenlgbtqapp

[safehavenlgbtq]

Pride season is here!!!! Check out these awesome tips from our VP of Digital Marketing!

•stay hydrated!

•wear sunscreen (reapply often)

•watch your drinks and food (date rape drug tastes salty, if your drink tastes too salty stop drinking immediately. never leave your drink alone, and keep an eye out on your drink in crowds. never accept an already open drink)

•watch out for your friends (you’d want them to do the same for you)

•be nice (but not TOO NICE it could come off as creepy or give some people the wrong idea)

•don’t judge “straight” couples (pride is inclusive of bisexuals, asexuals, aromantics, polysexuals, polyamorous folks, trans couples can look straight, some with non binary couples, etc. don’t forget straight allies are welcome. you never know)

•don’t judge others for what they’re wearing

•don’t assume anyone’s gender or sexual orientation

•be prepared for the weather (pack an umbrella if it’s supposed to rain, or a jacket if it’s supposed to be chilly, etc)

•be welcoming

•ask questions (pride is a great place to learn more)

•don’t go alone

•don’t let the homophobes and protesters get to you

•have fun!

•don’t be afraid to be yourself (that’s what pride for after all)

[gettin-bi-bi-bi]

Hi could you checkout our blog? We are a new LGBTQ+ app in development to create a safe place for anyone to come to for advice, to vent, to get resources, and everything else in the community. Thanks -Safe Haven Team

looks cute so far, keep up the good work.

@our followers, check out @safehavenlgbtqapp

Maddie

[ace-and-aro-wlw-positivity]

Hi could you checkout our blog? We are a new LGBTQ+ app in development to create a safe place for anyone to come to for advice, to vent, to get resources, and everything else in the community. Thanks -Safe Haven Team

Everyone should go check them out!  @safehavenlgbtqapp -Mod Elle

[yagirlswce]

If any of my followers are interested in sharing their coming out story, sharing advice within the LGBTQ community, please give me a shout.

I am involved with an amazing app in development for our LGBTQ+ community and our founder is currently looking for talk leaders. You must be at least 16 years of age.

We have talk leaders from all over the world who are willing to share their experiences, and give advice wherever it’s needed.

[safehavenlgbtq]

Talk Leader Tuesday:

I’m KyannaSimone, I don’t have a label and I connect with everyone. I believe that life is a beautiful and wonderful journey that we’re all on while spreading positivity and love throughout this world.

[safehavenlgbtq]

GUESS WHAT?!

SAFE HAVENS WEBSITE CHAT IS NOW ACTIVE. 

I REPEAT SAFE HAVENS WEBSITE CHAT IS NOW ACTIVE.

this means you can come and chat with us about anything you’re struggling with and get advice from our amazing, inclusive, lgbtq+ talk leader team. no matter what the problem is, we will have someone who can help you out, and listen.

spread the word, and check us out. 

https://safehavenlgbtq.com/

https://safehavenlgbtq.com/

https://safehavenlgbtq.com/

https://safehavenlgbtq.com/

https://safehavenlgbtq.com/

[safehavenlgbtq]

Written By: Jenna Louise

Self harm can be a nasty addiction that may fall victim to when suffering from depression and other mental illness’. I for one struggled for several years with it. With the help of therapy, medication, and having an amazing support system I’ve overcome my addiction and been clean for over 5 years now. Through my journey to recover I learned several tips and tricks to help deal with bad urges and ways to stay distracted when I wanted to self harm. I’m going to share some of them with you all today. ● Cry ● Scream/Yell ● Take a piece of paper and cut it up ● Scribble all over a piece of paper with a red pen ● Snap rubber bands on your wrist ● Squeeze an ice cube ● Run an ice cube over the part of the body you want to harm ● Draw on yourself with a red marker (draw “fake” cuts, it simulates the urge) ● Paint your nails ● Cover yourself in bandaids where you want to harm ● Count to 100 ● Try the butterfly project ● Put on temporary tattoos ● Put on boots and stomp around ● Exercise ● Take a cold shower (this will literally help trigger your body out of the urge) ● Make a happy box ● Write about your feelings ● Listen to music (non triggering) ● Watch your favourite movie ● Call a friend ● Play with your pets ● Visit this website (it can simulate the cutting feeling) ● Dance around like a fool ● Sing! Really loud ● Pop bubble wrap ● Write how you feel and rip up the paper ● Watch cute animal videos ● Chew gum ● Clap your hands until they sting ● Eat ice cubes ● Visit this website (it literally simulates a cut) ● Paint on yourself ● Doodle/Draw ● Play with a stress ball, slime, any other fidget ● Be with other people ● Splash your face with cold water ● Remember a happy moment ● Learn to swear in another language ● Splatter paint Now while some of these may work for you, some may not work for others. Try out different things until you find what works for you. Remember, you are important, you are loved, your feelings are valid, and you don’t deserve to hurt. Stay safe, stay strong.

[safehavenlgbtq]

By Katie Sullivan

If you have not heard the GREAT news yet, then here you go:

INDIA DECLARES HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT A MENTAL ILLNESS

This isn’t just a huge success for the community but for the country as well! The news broke yesterday on Facebook when the President of the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), Dr. Ajit Bhide, by posting a video & explaining why homosexuality should not be treated as an illness.

The battle now is to inform all practicing conversion therapies that homosexuality is no longer a term of therapy for homosexuality. Yes, this should have been done many years ago, but it is done now, so lets celebrate.

Congratulations to India & their continued progress! You can find the full video & more on our Facebook Page.

Interested in making a difference when it comes to Suicide Prevention & Awareness? Join our exclusive Facebook Group, to do your part of spreading awareness.

[safehavenlgbtq]

2017 was the deadliest year for the LGBT community. There was an 86% increase from 2016 – 2017. Hell, Mr. Trump didn’t even recognize Pride month & he was the first President to do is for many years. Are we moving forward or backwards?

At what point is it no longer violence in the community but a war on the community instead?

According to the FBI, here are the violence statistics for 2016:

Of 7,227 single bias hate crimes, 16.9% were sexual orientation based & 1.8% were gender identity.

Hate crimes are underreported for the fear of outing themselves.

Sexual assault is high within the community.

44% of lesbians experience rape

26% of gay men experience rape

61% of bi-women experience rape

37% of bi-men experience rape

How can we as individuals work towards lowering these numbers? Here are some ways:

If you are witnessing someone being harassed in any way, call 911. NEVER OUT SOMEONE. Simply say you are witnessing a form of harassment, labeling never helps anything.

Watch out for your friends when at the club or bar. Don’t accept drinks from strangers.

Speak up. If you hear someone talking bad, correct them. Explain that using gay in a negative connotation only makes it worse. A lot of people are just simply unaware.

Always educate. In any way you can.

Carry a Taser. Take defensive classes. Learn to protect yourself.

If you don’t feel safe, bartenders & managers are always up for walking you to your vehicle

Share this blog post for those who need educated

Why aren’t issues like this being discussed in the news? We should be educating everyone on what to do in situations like these to work towards prevention. Don’t turn your head because you don’t want to get involved. Do you know how many times I hear that phrase? Someone is being harmed and feels unsafe and you don’t want to be involved, so you let it happen? That makes you a part of it. You could have done something to help stop & you chose to let it continue. Don’t be that person. EVER.

Spread love not hate. Lend a hand when needed. Love each other, it won’t kill you, I promise.

[safehavenlgbtq]

By Katie Sullivan

A question that I receive many times within a weeks period is, “What does the + stand for in LGBT+?”. That is a simple question enough to answer.

When people think of LGBT+, they think of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual & Transgender.

Here is what the + represents:

A = Asexual – Someone who normally has little to no sex drive and is attracted to someone for more emotional reasons.

P = Pansexual – A fluid term to cover those who are attracted phsyically, emotionally & sexually to more than one gender identity. You often hear pansexuals refer to themselves as “gender-blind”.

I = Intersex – Making up a small percentage of the population, they are born with variations of their sex characteristics. These characteristics include, chromosomes, sex hormones, or genitals that don’t match either male or female.

GF = Gender Fluid – Someone who can move between identifying as either male or female or somewhere in between.

C = Cisgender – Someone who identifies as the gender they were assigned at birth.

A = ALSO stands for Allies – Anyone who is a supporter of the LGBT+ community, normally referred to as “Straight Allies”. They are instrumental in helping bring political change.

N = Non-Binary – Someone who has a gender identity that is not exclusively male or female.

A= ALSO Agender – Someone who doesn’t identify as male, female, or otherwise.

A= ALSO Aromantic – Someone who experiences little to no romantic connection to other people – DIFFERENT than asexual.

B= ALSO Bigender – A person for identifies as two genders, they can be expressed simultaneously or not.

Q = Queer – A blanket term for all LGBT+ people. Originated as a hate term but recently reclaimed by the community.

[safehavenlgbtq]

Safe Haven is here to help you. Together we will change the world. #safehavenlgbtqapp #lesbian #gay #bisexual #transgender #ftm #mtf #queer #positivity #happy #quotes #nonbinary #agender

[safehavenlgbtq]

It’s okay to have bad days, we all have them. Don’t let them discourage you from having a great day tomorrow. #safehavenlgbtqapp #positivity #quotes #lesbian #pansexual #bisexual #asexual #transgender #mtf #ftm #nonbinary #agender #genderfluid

[safehavenlgbtq]

12,000 teens aged 13-17 feel depressed or down at school, while only 1/4 of those say they feel safe at school.

95% report trouble sleeping due to depression

Only 31% of trans teens are able to express themselves at school.

Just sit there for a moment & let these facts sink in..

If you are a parent of a 13-17 year old, take the time to research how you can help them without seeming like invading their privacy. There is a GREAT website, reachout.orgit is a parents version of Safe Haven. Anon peer to peer chat for parents to ask for advice with their children.

People get caught up in life & forget that it is okay if you are unaware of how to handle a matter with your child. No one is a perfect parent, always ask for help. Ages 13-17 are hard for people & they are quick to think that parents are against them, when in reality parents are all for their children. They just don’t know how to approach certain topics, I think. * I am not a parent, I am speaking from a daughter perspective when I had trouble talking to my parents* When you are 13-17 years old, you usually end up doing things that your parents frown upon, I promise you, that if you are responsible about it, your parents will be okay. Its okay if you are having sex & experimenting & learning about yourself, that is what you are supposed to be doing at those ages. Parents know this because they were there once too. I think my parents were just sad that I was growing up & didn’t need them as much.

Be kind & always offer your time to listen to someone. You never know what they are going through & you may just be saving their life.

[safehavenlgbtq]

No matter what, the way you veiw yourself is most important. #safehavenlgbtqapp #positivity #happy #quotes #lesbian #gay #bisexual #transgender #trans #mtf #ftm #agender #nonbinary #asexual #intersex # #demisexual #bigender #genderfluid #panromantic #aromantic #polysexual #demigender (at San Antonio, Texas)

[safehavenlgbtq]

Unless you truly were born yesterday, you knew of Kate Spade. An incredible fashion designer & idol to many inspiring fashion designers. Today we mourn the loss of a fashion legend. If anyone knows me, I never had a purse, but I sure knew who Kate Spade was. That says a lot, trust me.

Safe Haven’s niche is the LGBT community, but it doesn’t mean that we aren’t raising awareness for suicide in general. Suicide doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, money cannot buy you happiness. Suicide is actually common within the rich community, mainly for the pressure that they have on themselves and the ridicule they receive for the most ridiculous happenings.

Suicide in general speaking has risen 60% from 1999 to 2014, I am sure that it only has continued to rise since then as well.

Money & fame don’t guarantee happiness. Wealthy individuals still battle with depression just as any one else does. ALWAYS, ask someone how they are doing today, that one simple question can make someones day. Some one that is truly battling & possibly considering ending it today may stop their actions because someone cared to ask. It seems silly almost that something that simple can make a difference. If you notice someone is having a rough day, ask them to lunch, coffee, drinks, etc. Let them talk it out, they may not even realize that they needed to.

**If you are interested in seeing the exclusive awareness video attached to this blog please join the FB group.**

Together we can bring change. Do your part. Check out the video version, its got more warning signs, prevention tips, etc.

Help raise money for suicide prevention & awareness here!