WHY DO LGBT PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS NEED A SPECIAL PLACE?
Because they are living with a double stigma. (And if they’re people of color, or poor, or physically disabled, or have alcohol or substance abuse problems, make that multiple stigmas.) They don’t really fit in in mainstream mental health clinics or inpatient units, and they don’t really fit in in the mainstream LGBT community either. They go through much of their lives trying to be invisible. That’s a very painful way to live. What they need is a safe place where they don’t have to hide anything about themselves. Rainbow Heights Club is a place like that. We have 250 members, and over and over again we’ve seen the rapid positive impact that support and acceptance can have. People who have been isolated and unable to care for themselves consistently become members of a community; they communicate about their difficulties and learn from others; they become more self-reliant; and they reduce their use of emergency services such as inpatient hospitalizations.
