From Silence to Strength
A Personal Introduction and the Purpose for Mindful and Prideful
For many years, I believed that I was broken—as though something inside me had to be hidden, fixed, or erased entirely. I carried it with me through childhood, though I didn’t have the words for it until adolescence. That was when I finally began to understand—and found the words for who I was.
Though I began to understand what it was I carried with me, this was only the beginning. I didn’t just realize I was gay, accept it, and carry on. No—this realization was terrifying. I did whatever I could to suppress these feelings. That suppression and self-hatred sent me down a path facing a flurry of mental health struggles, which I continue navigating to this day. However, I am tired of looking at these experiences as a weakness and at my identity as something to be ashamed of.
Alongside my very personal journey, I have a background in Political Science having received my Master’s degree from the University of Western Ontario. This education equipped me with the analytical and critical thinking skills necessary to express my thoughts and opinions on issues. Writing is something I’ve long wanted to do, but until now, I struggled with how to start my writing journey. Now, I feel ready to utilize the skills I’ve gained and the experiences I’ve lived to use my voice for those who feel like they don’t have one.
I’ve spoken to so many people who have experienced similar struggles with mental health. The causation or triggers may differ, but I have found that there are typically parallels in the feelings people experience, though the intensity and severity may differ. In the case of my own experiences, there is a strong connection between the anxiety and depression I have battled and coming to terms with my identity as a gay man. I know that to this day there are those who feel the same way that I have, and I empathize deeply.
With Mindful and Prideful, I hope to explore the intersectionality of mental health struggles—especially anxiety and depression—and an LGBTQIA2S+ identity. This will be grounded in my personal journey that continues to this day. I want this to be a space to show people struggling that they are not alone, that there are others who have experienced what they are going through, and that there is strength to be found in the struggles. In addition, I will also occasionally be using this platform to highlight issues that still affect queer individuals today.
I’m taking this step now because I see a rising wave of negative sentiment towards queer individuals. This can be seen online, but also in the real world. Most notably, a recent move by Southern Baptists in the United States called for the reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage. The volume of negativity being shared online in both local and global spaces is frightening. I worry that as a society, in many ways, we are treading down a path of regression.
This view can also apply to the stigmas around mental health that still exist today. Many people continue to fear judgment or differential treatment for seeking help or being honest about their mental health. This has proven to be a very serious issue in modern society, one that has received increased visibility, but still lacks the urgency it deserves. That’s why I believe now is more important than ever to be open and honest about my own experiences. If doing so can even help a small number of people, I view this as a very worthwhile endeavor.
I’ll post as often as I can, aiming for at least once a week. Please join me on this writing journey where we can share and learn from each other. I encourage engagement with the content in my posts and if you are comfortable doing so, sharing your own experiences. I don’t have all the answers, but I promise to hold space for vulnerability, shared stories, and collective growth.
For those of you who have read this, I want you to know that I am beyond appreciative of you taking the time to engage with my content. If this resonates with you, I would be grateful if you subscribed to Mindful and Prideful to stay part of the conversation and keep up with new posts.
Please feel free to leave a comment if you feel so inclined. However, do be kind and respectful of myself and one another.