We are a culture that is often times obsessed with the ideas of love, and by no means does that obsession die out during summertime. For many people, a summer fling is an annual goal, one more thing on the To-Do List before the leaves start changes.

The truth is that in a culture where being part of a couple is so highly valued, a ritual that focuses on dating may indeed be a source of some strife in a single person’s life---magnifying feelings of low self-worth.

As I pondered this, I was also reminded of the general state of our community’s mental health and sense of self-worth. Just google the phrase "LGBT Mental Health" and you will undoubtedly come up with hundreds, if not thousands, of links to articles and websites. You will invariably see mentions of the fact that queer people are more depressed…we have higher suicide rates…men in our community suffer from eating disorders at higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts…we are more likely to drink, smoke, and do drugs---all of which are often linked to depression…we often report feelings of low self esteem.

It all paints a pretty bleak picture; and I certainly don’t mean to minimize or discredit what it means to suffer with real mental illness…but thinking about all this makes me think of something else, too. It seems like, even now when the world around us is focusing on the need to express love to a significant other, many of us have forgotten to express our love to the most important person in our lives. So this year I’m putting a call out to our community, single and partnered, to remember your most important Love: YOURSELF!

Let’s take the time this Summer both individually and as a community to think a little about how much we love and take care of ourselves. Maybe we should buy ourselves candy and flowers? Maybe go out for a nice romantic dinner with ourselves? Maybe we get ourselves a card? Or maybe if we fall into one those groups listed above---the many members of our community who struggle with depression or addiction or low self-esteem---then we commit do something about it.

Understanding that you are valuable and worthwhile, as both an individual and as a member of our community, is one of the most basic ways you can...be queer, be proud, & be healthy!