{"id":311104,"date":"2023-05-15T09:42:30","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T09:42:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.co.uk\/?p=311104"},"modified":"2023-05-19T10:13:34","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T10:13:34","slug":"nfaq-with-hinge-how-do-i-handle-the-anxiety-of-not-feeling-queer-enough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/in-partnership-with\/nfaq-with-hinge-how-do-i-handle-the-anxiety-of-not-feeling-queer-enough\/","title":{"rendered":"NFAQ with Hinge: \u2018How do I handle the anxiety of not feeling queer enough?\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

In partnership with Hinge.<\/em><\/p>\n

HEADER BY LIV LAWRENCE<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s a privilege to be queer. As members of the LGBTQIA+ community, we get to live our lives on our own terms while empowering each other to be our authentic selves. However, it can sometimes be anxiety-inducing and difficult to navigate your queerness in a cisgender, heteronormative world.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, according to <\/span>a study by Stonewall<\/span><\/a>, over half of LGBTQIA+ people have experienced depression, while three in five say they\u2019ve experienced anxiety. It\u2019s why <\/span>Hinge<\/span><\/a> has teamed up with GAY TIMES to answer a <\/span>NFAQ (Not-so Frequently Asked Question<\/span><\/a>) in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week (May 15-May 21).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beginning in 2001, the week is an opportunity for people all over the country to come together and tackle the stigma that still surrounds mental health. It also gives everyone, including the LGBTQIA+ community, a chance to help better understand their own mental health as well as that of others.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mental Health Awareness Week provides the space to address important questions about mental health and connection. In the LGBTQIA+ community, dating can sometimes bring feelings of anxiety and questions about how other daters will receive us.\u00a0 For example, one query that arose was: \u201c<\/span>I don\u2019t always feel queer enough. Any advice for handling that anxiety?\u201d <\/span><\/i>To answer this <\/span>NFAQ<\/span><\/a>, Hinge\u2019s Love and Connection Expert and licensed therapist <\/span>Moe Ari Brown<\/span><\/a> provided their expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m no stranger to not feeling queer enough,\u201d Moe says. \u201cAfter five years on testosterone, I don\u2019t always feel as visibly queer as I used to.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That being said, Moe has learned some valuable lessons during that time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve sat with so many people in therapy who are feeling the same way,\u201d he says. \u201cThe question usually comes down to whether or not we belong. And the answer is yes, you absolutely do.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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@gaytimes<\/a> There isn\u2019t only one way to be queer, says Hinge\u2019s Love and Connection Expert, Moe Ari Brown, in our latest #HingeNFAQ<\/a> \u266c original sound – GAY TIMES<\/a><\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n