In this episode of the Strength Beyond Struggle podcast, host Michele Nelson speaks with Aeron Prosek, a queer man whoshares his experiences with discrimination.

They discuss the concept of lateral discrimination, the challenges faced by those whose identify is defined as “different”, and the importance of finding community and support. Aaron emphasizes the need for self-care and mental health awareness, highlighting the interconnectednessof physical and mental well-being.

Keywords

LGBTQ+, discrimination, mental health, aromantic, asexual, community, support, cisgender, privilege, resilience

Aeron faced a lot of challenges – queerness, autism, depression, BiPolar, and ADHD. But you know what hurt the worst? Discrimination - even by people he might have looked to for help.

Discrimination imposes a terrible burden. Decades of research shows that discrimination affects our physical and mental health.

According to research, experiencing discrimination significantly increased the risk you will suffer: Depression, Stress disorders, Anxiety, Physical illness, Alcoholism, Druguse, Eating disorders, Anger disorders, PTSD, Obesity, Diabetes, Heart disease, Even risky sexual behavior. This list from research published on the National Institutesof Health website.

Discrimination – the shame others impose on us and the shame we accept – even changes the brain.Animal studies showed that the lack of normal, positive interaction with others permanently affects the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Anda brain scan of people as they read an account about being discriminated against showed huge activity in the areas of the brain controlling emotion.

Some 70% of US citizens say they’ve experienced discrimination. For Asians, blacks and Hispanics – that mostly involved race. For women, that mostly often involved sexism. For white men, that mostly involved ageism. For Aeron – the discrimination involved being transgender. Perhaps that’s why people struggling with gender identity issues have twice the suicide rate as the general population.

Every culture stigmatizes the mentally ill in a way that makes everything worse, according to research published on the open journal Cureus. Many Asian cultures see mentalillness as a weakness, a failure of self-control that shames the family. Many African cultures attribute mental illness to a curse or possession by evil spirits. Arab cultures see it as a divine punishment. Latin American cultures see it as a sign of personal weakness and lack of will power. Here in the Western culture, we have embraced the disease model - but still see those with a mentally health condition - as dangerous. That’s why I admire Aeron for having the courage to speak up.

Chapters

00:00  Understanding Discrimination in the LGBTQ+ Community

09:53  The Impact of Lateral Discrimination

19:39  Navigating Identity: Asexuality and Aromanticism

29:20  Finding Community and Support

34:11   Coping Strategies and Mental Health Awareness