COVID Chaos in LGBTQ+ Communities

COVID Chaos in LGBTQ Communities – Podcast Interview with Matt Goldenberg

Calming the Chaos welcomes Dr. Matt Goldenberg, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Teacher. Dr. Matt is a popular trainer, teacher and psychotherapist in Olympia, Washington who focuses on helping, treating and honoring those in marginalized communities, especially those who live within LGBTQ+ communities. In this podcast, Dr. Matt talks about the COVID-19 Pandemic and why this pandemic has affected LGBTQ+ communities so profoundly.  Dr. Matt also presents some ideas to help individuals in LGBTQ communities calm the chaos in a pandemic that is still ongoing.

 

1. Introduction to Dr. Matt Goldenberg

 

1. 1. Who are you, Dr. Matt?
   2. Your Involvement in the LGBTQ Community
   1. Historical Trauma – The HIV / AIDS Epidemic
2. Unique challenges / “chaos” to LGBTQ Individuals during the pandemic (all life domains)

1. Historical Oppression of those who have HIV – where is the vaccine?
2. Vaccine for COVID-19, but lack for HIV

• Systemic neglect of marginalized people

1. Emotions of Fear, Disappointment, Anger and Hopefulness
2. Politicization: (Dr. Fauci, etc.)

1. 1. Cis-Normative Inclusivity: Normalizes non-trans and hetero persons, and blocks the LGBTQ+ communities
   2. Cis-Hetero Normativity: Normalizes those whose biological gender is consistent with their expressed gender
   3. Funding for programs to help marginalized individuals in these populations.
2. Social challenges – Groups
3. Financial / jobs
4. Intersectionality: There has been an impact on other marginalized populations, including black, Latino and other populations that intersect with LGBTQ+
   1. Poverty and the working class
   2. Employment Discrimination
   3. Unfavorable working conditions or lack of being able to telework
5. Other life domains

1. Underground economics
2. Bad working conditions = less ability to protect yourself from COVID

• Lack of protections for the working class

1. Privileged people can protect themselves better

1. Emotional trends

1. Isolation and psychological stress
2. Suicidality increases with those who refuse to honor pronouns

• Feeling excluded, unwanted, hopeless, suicidal

1. Solutions: Tools and strategies for LGBTQ individuals to access when in chaos
2. 1. Sharing messages
   2. Respecting preferred pronouns
   3. Training on LGBTQ+ populations
   4. Training on strategies of inclusion
   5. Be aware of physical safety for vulnerable populations
   6. Support mental health and access to healthcare
   7. Empowerment strategies for vulnerable populations
   8. Social Support
3. Dr. Matt Goldenberg’s website: https://drmattgoldenberg.com/
   1. US Trans Survey at https://transequality.org/issues/us-trans-survey
   2. Trevor Project at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
   3. Fedup Collective at https://fedupcollective.org/
   4. Translifeline.org at https://translifeline.org/
   5. Matt’s Trainings and more!
4. Other resources

1. Trainings: https://drmattgoldenberg.com/trainings/
2. Supervision: https://drmattgoldenberg.com/supervision/

• Counseling: https://drmattgoldenberg.com/counseling/

1. October is National LGBTQ+ History Month https://nationaldaycalendar.com/lgbt-history-month-october-2/
2. October 11 is National Coming Out Day https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Coming_Out_Day

1. Closing: LGBTQ+ people are marginalized…AND…they are:
2. 1. Resilient / Strong
   2. Brilliant
   3. Creative / Rich in Knowledge
   4. Respectful