Loneliness: the Silent Epidemic

Marketplace Story

Charla Davis

Published: August 5, 2025 | Last Updated: August 5, 2025

The loneliness epidemic isn’t slowing, in fact, the rates are alarmingly increasing, particularly in Black and LGBTQ+ folks.

Tragically, the progress our country has made over the past several decades seems to be quickly sliding backwards. Black and LGBTQ+ communities are living with greater stress as their identity, ethnicity and sexual orientation come under attack again. They are facing renewed and endorsed harassment, alienation, discrimination, shame and family rejection — societal pressures we hoped we had left in our rearview.

It’s not surprising, then, that extensive research shows the Black and LGBTQ+ communities are isolating more to protect themselves. Subsequently, they have fewer close friendships, they live in loneliness, and it takes a toll on their mental health.

If this sounds familiar to you, I encourage you to start rebuilding the best version of you — the person you want to be — without guilt, shame or fear. The best way to begin this journey is by taking inventory of who you are right now. What does a typical day look like? Does it reflect the kind of day (and life) you want? If your life were the way you want it, how would you spend your time?

Start by creating the love-filled life you deserve by taking one tiny step today!

Go outside and feel the sun on your face, wave at a neighbor, or reach out to one person in your sphere, someone you admire or you think might feel the way you do – hesitant but looking to connect. What about attending or volunteering at events like Hotter in July where you can meet others? Look for these kinds of activities in your community and get involved.

I want to emphasize how critical it is to begin cultivating a strong home base — mine is my wife and my therapist. When I — a Black, queer woman — venture out and explore new connections and it doesn’t go well, what a gift it is to have my home base to return to for strength and support.

I know this firsthand — the family who raised me had a hard time accepting my sexual orientation. I struggled to imagine “family” as a place where I could be my authentic self without guilt or shame.

Today, I am happy to say I can be completely who I am with my partner and my community and to unveil the parts of me that I was afraid to reveal for fear of rejection. I am my true self and the version of me that I respect and admire.

You are a very integral part of this world! Do not let anyone take that away from you. Your first steps can be uncomfortable, and you may feel rejected, but there are people in your corner. Debrief, dust off the ugliness, re-energize and step back into the world again. You can face what is out there because you are resilient, brave, valuable and worthy. With each new connection, you are building confidence and an authentic you, one step at a time. Working together, we can create a community of connection, acceptance, love and support.

This article is a sponsored editorial produced in collaboration with CRSH. Pride Source journalism is made possible with the support and partnership of advertisers like CRSH.