We are living in a time of turmoil and transition. Just as it seemed the road was open, there came another obstacle to clear, a hurricane to go through, or debris to throw away. So once again, we have to tap into our resources to claim the energy to persist, the determination to hang onto our resolve and to maintain the hope that we will prevail. That our vaccinated, mask-wearing and distancing family, friends, neighbors, or other people we come in contact with, will do the same so we can overcome an invisible virus that kills.

In this process, it is difficult to accept let alone understand the denial of science and refusal to act in the interest of the greater good. On one hand, when the LGBTQ community has survived all the past actions of the straight society, why look out for those who showed little or no care for the minority? On the other hand, the virus does not discriminate. It hits majority and minority alike.

So, it becomes a matter of self-care and self-preservation to practice whatever we can do to avert any infection to ourselves and to all around us. It takes inner strength to moderate the frustration and anger at those who dismiss each person’s effect on others and focus solely on a personal, dogma-based, and really selfish misperception of freedom. I grieve for my trans friend who died of COVID-19 last year, leaving behind a wife and a 3-year-old kid. This after years of working through past abuse and making it to a decent life. Hundreds of thousands have died because of incompetent and unfocused leadership, exacerbated by the indifference or uncaring of people who bought into the weaponization of public health as a political cudgel.

So, let’s be kind to one another, watch out for those who need an extra hello or a smile, ask if a neighbor needs help and just practice compassion. Let’s be grateful that ourselves, our partners, and families are (hopefully) well. Let’s treat each day as a bonus and make it as good and joyful as we can.    

“I like Pride festival because we get to show up and show out. Remind people we have resilience and rainbows.” ~~ William Belli, actor, drag queen, singer-songwriter 

Author Profile

Janan Broadbent, PhD
Janan Broadbent, PhD
As a psychologist in private practice since 1979, Janan Broadbent, Ph. D. offers individual, couples, group and family therapy, in addition to conducting workshops on topics such as stress management, communication skills and assertiveness. She writes about current issues relevant to relationship building and conflict resolution in LGBTQ and minority populations, with emphasis on health, fitness and education.

Born in Turkey, Dr. Broadbent earned her undergraduate degree in psychology in 1965. At that time, first as a Fulbright Scholar, then as a CENTO Fellow, she received her master's and doctorate degrees in psychology and education from the University of California at Los Angeles. She has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in psychology at St.Mary's College of Maryland, Mt. Vernon College in Washington, D. C., Johns Hopkins University and the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore. From 1981 to 1988, she was also the Director of Counseling at Notre Dame College.
While in graduate school, Dr. Broadbent worked for the Voice of America radio program, writing and recording materials on the cross-cultural college experience. She has been interviewed on various news programs on TV and has received media training.
Dr. Broadbent is a member of the American Psychological Association and has served as the chair for the Public Affairs Board and as a member of the Executive Council of the Maryland Psychological Association.
Dr. Broadbent's office is located at:
Village of Cross Keys, 120 West Quadrangle, 2 Hamill Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21210-1847 phone: 410-825-5577