Happy Pride - and all the complexities that come with it

Drs. Ryan Bittinger and Jess Erb have a special message for all those who have not yet come out: Pride Month is 100% for you. 

Even if you have yet to tell anyone, know that this time of pride, protest, and celebration is for you.

In this video, Drs. Jess Erb and Ryan Bittinger navigate the tension that many companies stick a rainbow on all their advertising during Pride month. What does it mean? And is there a darker side behind what can seem like an 'accepting' and celebratory action from corporations? 

For many clients in our office, the image of Pride they speak of is: Skin, lots and lots of skin, short shorts and tight, muscular bodies. While it is amazing to see this celebration of the body, it also shows that even within the LGBTQIA+ community, there are normalized and idealized body images.   

But this isn't representative of the entire community. And there can be great internalized shame if you don't look like that. 

Pride is a lively time of the year with the parade, all the parties and raves.  It is a spectacle. Because of this, you'd think that every 2SLGBTQIA+ individual is the epitome of extroversion.    

As Hannah Gadsby on Nanette asked "Where do the quiet gays go?" and Dr. Jess Erb shares her personal take on this. 

If you're experiencing feelings of anxiety and isolation due to social expectations, please reach out to us.