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The first half of 2025 has been particularly difficult for our LGBT community. As we are all aware, political unrest and targeted efforts to strip away our rights have accelerated. These forces have taken an especially heavy toll on our trans siblings. It’s in times like these that relationships within our community are tested.

Below are ways to fortify your LGBT relationship against the political stress we are facing. While therapy is a vital resource, we know that it’s not enough to merely cope; we need to thrive. Our relationships, both with our partners and with ourselves, are vital. They provide meaning and respite for us in a hostile world. We need to protect them fiercely. Here’s how.

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How To Strengthen LGBT Partnerships During Political Attack

Political chaos strains relationships, especially when one or both partners are dealing with additional stress. The current rhetoric is giving rise to a resurgence of internalized homophobia. Emotional intimacy can be a great buffer. By making time for each other, prioritizing empathy, and actively listening, you can strengthen the connection between you.

Here are a few tips for building closeness:

Be mindful of emotional contagion. It's so easy to let our partner's understandable feelings of anger, helplessness, or fear fan the flames of our own. If you feel like the two of you are making these emotions more intense in each other, check in about how you can set boundaries to prevent it from escalating. There's a fine line between validation and exacerbation.
Don't try to fix. It's easy to fall into the trap of trying to "fix" the situation or one another’s feelings, but what’s often needed most is validation. Acknowledging your partner’s pain or fear can be powerful enough on its own.
Protect time for each other. Set aside time to connect outside of political conversations. This helps create a safe space to just be yourselves and build resilience.
Date nights still matter. Even if you’ve been together for 50 years, you still gotta date. Make date nights as stress-free as possible. Get out of your routine and reconnect.
Emotional check-ins: Ask your partner, “How are you really feeling today?” and be prepared to listen without offering advice unless they ask for it.
Boundaries. If you find that most conversations lead back to political stress, consider how this is negatively impacting both of you. It might be time to set some boundaries so you can discuss things that bring up positive feelings.

Even small moments of connection can significantly buffer the negative effects of political stress.

How To Set Boundaries with Media and News Consumption

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The saying “you are what you eat” applies to our digital consumption too. It’s too easy to become consumed by the constant stream of news and social media updates. While staying informed is important, it’s also critical to set boundaries around the media you consume. Constant exposure to negative news, hostile rhetoric, and political attacks can contribute to burnout, anxiety, and a sense of helplessness.

Here are a few strategies for managing media consumption with boundaries:

Curate your feeds. The algorithm has done a number on all of us. Take ten minutes to intentionally search out, interact with, and "like" uplifting content. If you enjoy cooking but don't see it in your feed, it's easy to get it added.
Set boundaries social media use. Social media can be a space for connection, but it’s also filled with negativity and misinformation. We love apps like OneSec and OffScreen to create soft and hard limits with social media. Being locked out of Instagram after bedtime is always a good thing.
Schedule media-free times. Set aside time in your day to disconnect from news and social media. Use this time to focus on each other, your hobbies, or self-care practices.
Follow trusted sources. When you do engage with the news, choose sources that provide accurate, balanced information. Print journalism is your best bet here, followed distantly by broadcast journalism. Social media is the worst source. Avoid getting swept up in sensationalism or divisive rhetoric, which can amplify feelings of fear and helplessness. Avoid comments sections at all costs.
Share and process together intentionally. It can be helpful to share what’s going on in the world with your partner, but do so with an intentional goal of processing and supporting each other, rather than getting overwhelmed. Check in with each other regularly to ensure you’re both feeling emotionally supported.

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The Importance of Being in Community with Other LGBT People and Couples

Community has always been a core source of strength for LGBT people. It can be too easy to feel isolated when the world feels hostile. Being in community with those who understand your experiences is incredibly grounding. It's a balm against internalized homophobia, depression, anxiety, and a host of other issues our community faces at high levels.

Validation and Support. Being around others who understand what you’re going through provides validation and emotional support. Sharing your experiences with people who can empathize deepens the bond and reduces feelings of isolation. It creates a sense of being normal, deserving, and loved. You are normal, deserving, and loved, and you deserve to feel it.
Shared activism and advocacy. Engaging with others in activism can help you both feel like you’re contributing to positive change. This not only strengthens your relationship but also fuels a sense of hope and purpose. Activism doesn't always have to be marching in the street; there are many ways to stand up for what you believe in that align with your values, time, and energy.
Celebration and joy. In the midst of hardship, community spaces provide critical opportunities for joy and celebration. Whether it’s a gathering of friends or a community group, moments of connection recharge your emotional batteries and remind you of the love and beauty in our lives.

Laurel Roberts-Meese, LMFT

Laurel is a lesbian therapist seeing adults online in California, Florida, and Washington. She is trans-inclusive and neurodiversity affirming.

LGBT Affirmative Couples Therapy

Tending to our most cherished relationship is an act of defiance against an administration that is trying to invalidate our existence. While our relationships can offer immense comfort and strength, political chaos can take a toll on mental health. If you’re finding that the weight of the world is creating unmanageable stress in your relationship, LGBT couples therapy can help.

**Daniella Mohazab, AMFT**

Daniella is a queer therapist working with adults, teens, and couples online in California. She is trans-inclusive, poly-literate, and neurodiversity affirming.

LGBT couples therapy can provide guidance on how to cope with the stressors our community faces and how to support each other. It can help you communicate and set healthy boundaries so you both get maximum enjoyment from your partnership.

LGBT Therapy For Individuals and Couples In California & Florida

Our LGBT therapists are here to support strengthening your queer partnership no matter what is going on politically. If you and/or your partner are struggling with the challenges of political chaos, you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re looking for a space to process your emotions or strategies for strengthening your relationship, we're here to help. Book a consultation to discuss how LGBT therapy can provide you with tools for facing the world together.