Mental Health Month: LGBTQIA+ Center Of Nevada

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community may go through a wide range of emotions and feelings. From coming out, becoming comfortable in one's own skin, to digesting one's own thoughts and understanding who you are can be overwhelming.

The important part of being LGBTQIA+ is that you find the journey of acceptance and love for yourself. As cliché as it sounds, you are NOT alone. Many of us have experienced similar situations and can help one another in times of need.

Mental health is important and talking about it can be scary. It's with open and honest conversation that we can find resources to help us understand why we are feeling this way. The LGBTQIA+ Center Of Nevada is located at 401 S Maryland Pkwy in between S Rue and backside to Lewis Ave. and they are a safe place.

Their website states, " Our goal is to make sure the individual has the resources they need to live their authentic lives." We are very thankful to have a place where LGBTQIA+ can gather and feel safe to be themselves.

The LGBTQIA+ Center Of Nevada offers many helpful and reliable services that they offer when it comes to:

Community Groups offers more discussion groups each with their own unique goals and objectives. Many of these groups are peer-led but offer connections, relatable stories and friendships. These LGBTQIA+ Center of Nevada meetings are amazing for surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals.

"Q Volution" are community building nights at The Center that helps LGBTQIA+ with "with the mental, social and development needs" states their website. Tuesdays are youth ages 13-17 and Thursdays are for youth ages 18-24.

Under Youth and Family Services is a 6-week "Pivot" course that helps educate the meaning of being LGBTQIA+. The course is confidential so that those involved can feel safe.

They offer more which you can find here.

We spoke with a representative from The Center who stated that they work with providers (outside of the center) with one being the Community Counseling Center of Southern Nevada, to get you the help that you need. The Community Counseling Center Of Southern Nevada is located at 714 E Sahara Ave.

They have an LGBTQIA+ Affirming Care program which specializes in LGBTQIA+ mental health. Their clinicians are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community which best helps with "lived experience" when assessing their patients compared to those who are not.

They care about the members of the LGBTQIA+ society and are willing to go the extra mile.

Nevada's Las Vegas is known as a place to home all walks of life. Whether you're tall, striped or speckled— everyone is welcomed!

Vegas has come along way in becoming very open-minded when it comes to the LGBTQIA+. The "Fruit Loop" is home to the famous Piranha nightclub, QUADZ bar, FreeZone and returning the famous Gypsy nightclub. On Flamingo, we have Hamburger Mary's Las Vegas and The Garage. The Luxor Hotel & Casino hosts Temptation Sundays which is the only and longest running LGBTQIA+ pool party event in Vegas. We can't leave out The Garden Las Vegas in downtown and The Phoenix Bar & Lounge on W. Sahara.

Even with all of our LGBTQIA+ hotspots in Vegas, does the state fully support the LGBTQIA+ community and their rights as people?

The study conducted took place in 2019 therefore, rules and policies may have updated since but will a general idea on where states stand. Our friends at BestPlaces.com conducted their survey to find out which states are the most LGBTQIA+ rights friendly. They looked over 10 different indicators including employment, education, housing and school anti-bullying to name a few. Each state was awarded by a point system on full support, partial support and no support. 10 points means full support and 0 points means no support.

Out of all 50 U.S. states, six states and District of Columbia received a perfect score of 10/10. Nevada is one of those states ranking third with a score of 10/10. The two states before Nevada are: Connecticut (second) with a 10/10 and California (first) with a 10/10. That means, the states fully support and will legally protect their LGBTQIA+ residents. Policies and laws have been put into place to make sure of their safety.

A lot of work still needs to be done to protect our LGBTQIA+ brothers and sisters. More states with a plan to set protective regulations in place can help save the lives of many across the country. Spreading awareness and using ones voice to call out our higher officials to make change is needed.

Nine states currently have no rights ranking with a score of 1. Those states include: (See below)

You can see the full study HERE.