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We can elevate LGBTQ+ well-being through safe spaces and allyship

In a world where diversity should be celebrated, it's disheartening to witness the persistent discrimination and violence spurred by anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric that continues to plague our community. The need for safe spaces has never been more urgent. Beyond offering refuge, these spaces are crucial for nurturing the well-being and empowerment of LGBTQ+ individuals, holding the potential to uplift all marginalized identities.

Even in states plagued by anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, like Florida, there is hope. The region boasts a vibrant array of LGBTQ+ organizations and initiatives like the recent City of Miami LGBTQ+ Community Survey and the Miami Beach Cares campaign. Our efforts can cultivate safe spaces in online groups, sanctuary cities, advocacy organizations, and inclusive faith communities and businesses. Our collective responsibility is to provide solace for marginalized identities, creating an environment where local communities are profoundly inviting to those who may be rooted in place by necessity or choice.

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The Board of Director and the SAVE are excited to announce that Todd Delmay will be joining SAVE as our new Executive Director.

Todd brings a distinguished history of LGBTQ+ advocacy to his new role. Notably, he and his husband played a pivotal part in the fight for marriage equality in Florida, as one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit as well as becoming the state's first legally wed same-sex couple in 2015. Their journey took them to the State of the Union address as guests of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and to the White House for the historic signing of the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022.

Todd's commitment continued as he chaired the Board of Pridelines and fostered community ties. Last year, Delmay launched a campaign for Florida State Representative, becoming a prominent opponent of the Don't Say Gay law and using national platforms to raise awareness. As current Executive Director of The SMART Ride and President of the Dolphin Democrats, he remains dedicated to advancing pro-LGBTQ+ policies and candidates in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties regardless of political party.

We are thrilled to welcome Todd as Orlando's successor, knowing that his unwavering commitment and boots-on-the-ground approach will spearhead SAVE's impactful work in the coming years. His background embodies SAVE's mission of supporting the LGBTQ+ community through outreach, advocacy, and education. Orlando will continue to serve as Senior Advisor to the new Executive Director and Board of Directors through the end of 2023, ensuring a seamless transition as Todd takes the helm.

Please join the Board of Directors and the SAVE team in congratulating Todd and welcoming him aboard.

As we reflect on July, which commemorated Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we find ourselves contemplating its profound significance within our community. Many people in the LGBTQ+ community navigate intersecting identities, such as race, ethnicity, class, disability and other social factors. Recognizing the significance of such intersectionality is vital, particularly relating to mental health and social implications. To foster an environment that empowers and supports individuals with intersecting identities, we must endorse inclusive advocacy that employs a comprehensive approach to equality and social justice.

Intersectional challenges in the LGBTQ+ community

The diversity of people within the LGBTQ+ community includes the experience of a double or triple burden as anti-LGBTQ+ laws and rhetoric proliferate. The compounding effects of discrimination, prejudice and systemic barriers adversely impact the well-being of LGBTQ+ people. Our community, particularly transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, grapple with elevated risks of anxiety, depression that can lead to suicidal tendencies, bullying, discrimination, stigma and hate crimes. Oftentimes, they are also subject to sham practices of conversion therapy, leading to increased rates of mental and physical disorders. Studies by UCLA reveal that LGBTQ+ people who have undergone conversion therapy are nearly twice as likely to attempt suicide, and research from The Trevor Project shows that 41% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year.

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