The holidays are fast approaching and things can be especially difficult for the GLBT Community. The holidays are full of contradictions – great expectations and deep disappointments. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make it the perfect holiday, but it is often hard to reproduce holidays like that.

For our community, oftentimes people can’t go home because they are not out or their family doesn’t accept their lifestyle. There are couples or partners that can’t go home together because the family doesn’t recognize the relationship or validate it. For some that are single, it can feel especially alienating and they may feel isolated.

Set your sights on how you want to manage your holiday. You don’t have to keep with old traditions. Create your own.

1. If you know of someone that may have a rough time around the holidays –  call them, connect with them, be there for them.

2. Use the Stonewall Columbus Center on High. The center is yours so consider participating in all the programs that are happening there.

3. Nurture Yourself, Take Care of Yourself – Go to the spa, get a new haircut, go to a movie. Be kind to yourself.

4. Try on a new tradition for your holiday. Invite friends over, have dinner, have a dinner giving event. Put your own signature on the holiday.

5. Give – However you want to give. Give to the community. Give a friend a call. Do something that will make giving back make you feel better about yourself.

Remember, the holidays will come and go and January will be here before you know it. Perhaps by trying some of these suggestions you will create new beginnings for yourself.

Here are some additional articles that you may find helpful:

Surviving the Holidays by Jamey Collins – GayHealth

http://www.gayhealth.com/iowa-robot/emotions/index.html?record=349

I Won’t Be Home For Christmas by Paul Martin

http://www.samesame.com.au/support/1766/I-Wont-Be-Home-For-Christmas.htm