Pride Month is dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and supporting LGBTQ+ rights. Pride is celebrated throughout the month of June each year in commemoration of its roots in the Stonewall Riots in New York City in June 1969. At Crisis Text Line, almost 50% of our surveyed texters self-identified as LGBTQ+, and we understand that this community is in need of additional mental health support. This month, we are honoring mental health changemakers who bring awareness and advocate for emotional, psychological and social well-being within the LGBTQ+ communities.

Callen-Lorde is the global leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare. The nonprofit organization has been transforming lives in LGBTQ+ communities through comprehensive care, provided free of judgment and regardless of ability to pay. In addition, the organization continuously pioneers research, advocacy and education to drive positive change around the world. Callen-Lorde Community Health Center provides sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

“LGBTQ+ specific health is extremely important because unfortunately our current general medical system doesn’t really support the nuances of queer health.” –Callen-Lorde’s Interim Executive Director Jonathan Santos-Ramos.

Thank you to Callen Lorde and Jonathan for helping to provide much needed critical healthcare to LGBTQ+ communities. 

Amandla Stenberg (she/her; they/them) is known for her award-winning movie and television roles and for her activism for LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, and equity. She is an inspiration that continues to pave the way for those whose identities have constantly been ignored and forgotten. For her recent role in Dear Evan Hansen, she co-authored “The Anonymous Ones,” a song that addresses anxiety, perfectionism, and pressures related to the need to succeed. In addition, she continues to share resources, bring awareness, and advocate for mental health support.

“One of the biggest blessings lies in the magic that comes from having to understand love outside the confines of learned heterosexual roles.” – Amandla Stenberg 

Amandla–thank you for being such a passionate, bold and compelling voice in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. 

Juan Acosta is a first-generation Mexican immigrant dedicated to mental health advocacy since age 13. Juan’s work focuses on underserved communities, specifically the LGBTQ+, immigrant, and Latinx communities. He has drafted a historic LGBTQ+ proclamation for his hometown of Woodland, CA, spoke alongside Dr. Jill Biden, Selena Gomez, and Dr. Vivek Murthy at the White House’s first Youth Mental Health Action Forum, and co-authored NY Times best-seller, “Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community,” with Lady Gaga and the Born This Way Foundation. 

“Being kind can be as simple as checking in on your friends, checking in on your family, asking people how they’re really doing, because the smallest kind act can truly save a life.” –Juan Acosta

Thank you Juan for advocating for mental health support within the LGBTQ+ communities and beyond.

One of our amazing volunteers, Paxton Gray (he/him), is a gay and transgender man based in Florida. He was selected as one of our Pride Month changemakers because he strives to make safe spaces for queer people, especially young people. He is currently trying to organize a LGBTQ+ support group, since there are no resources in his city. He wants to become a psychologist in the future so he can continue helping people.

“I didn’t wake up one day and decide that I had to make social change. I woke up and realized that I don’t have a choice.” — Paxton Gray

Paxton you are helping save and change lives every day. You are truly appreciated and we thank you. 

Looking to make a difference? Interested in supporting people in need? Join Crisis Text Line’s  community of volunteer Crisis Counselors today!