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The Headlines Are As Stunning As They Are Frequent An article by Corrine Goodwin for "The GayJournal Magazine" "Trump's transgender military ban 'worse than don't ask, don't tell,' advocates say." U.S. rolls back protections for transgender prison inmates Trump administration dismantles LGBT-friendly policies Health care new front for transgender rights under Trump In fact, the only thing that seems to happen more frequently than these headlines are the tweets emanating from the White House. The result is that almost every time I log-on to my computer or turn on my phone I prepare myself for the worst. Surround yourself with people who will cheer you on! It's More Than the Political Climate It goes beyond the politics of Trump and LGBTQ issues. You can't turn on the TV or the radio without hearing about the latest Hollywood scandal or sports star who has run amok. If you pick up the local paper you read about corrupt business people and politicians. But the worst - without a doubt - is Facebook and the ongoing barrage of memes and articles. I, of course, am a guilty party. I post news articles (I hope from legitimate news sites) and like the occasional snarky meme. But what I have learned not to do is to lull myself into thinking I am going to change anyone's mind about issues in that forum. Long ago, I discovered that no matter how many responses I might write to a post that I disagree with I am not going to suddenly gain a convert. The result of all this bad news can be challenging. I see it during our Renaissance Transgender Support Group meetings (www.renaissancelv.org) during social events, in emails, phone conversations and, of course, on Facebook - feelings of despair, powerlessness and even depression. Some people cope by ignoring the issues. Some simply become numb to it all. Other individuals focus on the fight. But in all of these cases I see one thing in common - a lack of optimism. Don't Dwell on Problems - Instead Find People Who Will Help You to Win! While not inevitable, a better future is possible. Working together we can build it and shape it. But in order to do so we need to surround ourselves with good people - people who will cheer us on. Cheerleaders are everywhere if you look for them. They tend to be future-focused, positive in their outlook, happy with themselves, they work to overcome challenges, and they find ways to enrich their lives. They are people that will inspire you to be a better person, provide you with motivation to achieve your goals, empower you to make the changes you need to succeed and cheer on your successes. They may be family members, friends, coworkers, or even the server you see every week at your local coffee shop or neighborhood bar. How Do You Find Cheerleaders? One answer is to exude a sense of optimism yourself. If you show a sense of optimism and positivity people will be attracted to you. Another tactic is to get active. Seek out causes that get you energized. Try to make a positive difference each day - even if it is with just one person. For me, I get positive feelings from teaching others and volunteering. By the way, cheerleaders don't have to have similar interests or goals as you. In fact - hanging with too manly people who have the same worldview can be suffocating. Instead, seek out diversity while looking for positive influences. Pride Season - The Perfect Time to Start Speaking of diversity and positivity, your local Pride Festival is a great place to find your cast of cheerleaders. You will be surrounded by people who understand and empathize with the struggles and challenges being a LGBTQ person and you will find that many of them have overcome adversity. That means that you can learn from their journeys and experience while taking in the sights and sounds of our wonderfully diverse community So, during your next Pride even, look around. Cheerleaders are everywhere. Seek them out. Let them know how much you appreciate them. Then, get active and make a difference!