Safe to Be Ourselves: Pride, Recovery, and Belonging

Many people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community have experienced rejection, discrimination, isolation, or pressure to be someone they are not. These experiences can have a profound impact on mental health and well-being. Research consistently shows that when people experience acceptance, connection, and community, outcomes improve.

Feeling safe enough to be yourself in this world matters. Feeling welcomed, respected, and accepted for who you are matters. For many people, recovery is not only about healing from mental health or substance use challenges—it is also about finding places where they can show up authentically and know they belong.

As actress and advocate Laverne Cox shared:

"Believing you are unworthy of love and belonging — that who you are authentically is a sin or is wrong — is deadly. Who you are is beautiful and amazing."

At Pier 360, we believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. We believe recovery is strengthened when people feel welcomed, heard, valued, and safe enough to be themselves.

One way we support connection is through Unity Unites, our peer-led 2SLGBTQIA+ support group. Meeting Mondays at 10:30 AM in a hybrid format

(Zoom ID: 348-331-1764 and in person at the West Center), Unity Unites is a welcoming space where peers support peers through shared experiences, encouragement, understanding, and community. The group is open to people of all identities and gender expressions and is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a place where they can be themselves and know they belong.

However you celebrate Pride this month, enjoy!

May you find connection, community, and spaces where you feel safe to be yourself.

You deserve to be loved and accepted for who you are.

View the Pier 360 Calendar of groups and activities here.