Stonewall Strong

What gay men's struggles and successes reveal about resilience and community

Difficulties and traumas, like mythical monsters, may threaten to overwhelm us.
Resilience
Be the Author of Your Own Resilience

John-Manuel Andriote on May 7, 2026

Many people don't recognize their own resilience as they share stories about the challenges and traumas they have faced. But learning to name and claim it is a key to resilience.

Many people don't recognize their own resilience as they share stories about the challenges and traumas they have faced. But learning to name and claim it is a key to resilience.

Boundaries
Who Deserves Your Pearls?

John-Manuel Andriote on February 20, 2026

Personal Perspective: "Don't cast your pearls before swine" is ancient wisdom for today. Knowing when and with whom to share your "pearls" is important for mental health.

Personal Perspective: "Don't cast your pearls before swine" is ancient wisdom for today. Knowing when and with whom to share your "pearls" is important for mental health.

Generosity is more than its own reward. It provides a variety of health benefits.
Gratitude
More Than a Season for Giving

John-Manuel Andriote on December 16, 2025

We all want to be seen as generous in our holiday gift-giving. But generosity is a year-round habit we can cultivate that offers benefits for our physical and mental health.

We all want to be seen as generous in our holiday gift-giving. But generosity is a year-round habit we can cultivate that offers benefits for our physical and mental health.

Bittersweet
Resilience
How a Life-Changing Diagnosis Helped Reveal My True Colors

John-Manuel Andriote on October 27, 2025

Personal Perspective: When faced with a life-altering medical diagnosis, I had to choose how I would tell the story about it. Would I present myself as a victim? Or as a courageous survivor?

Personal Perspective: When faced with a life-altering medical diagnosis, I had to choose how I would tell the story about it. Would I present myself as a victim? Or as a courageous survivor?

Resilience
9 Steps for Living an October Life

John-Manuel Andriote on September 26, 2025

You too can live with authenticity, beauty, deliberateness, resilience, and wisdom—an October life—at any age and in every season of life.

You too can live with authenticity, beauty, deliberateness, resilience, and wisdom—an October life—at any age and in every season of life.

We can walk in the shadows, or we can choose the sunny side of the street.
Resilience
Keeping on the Sunny Side

John-Manuel Andriote on August 22, 2025

Personal Perspective: You can walk on the sunny side, feel the sun on your face, and see clearly. Or you can choose to move in the shadows. It's up to you.

Personal Perspective: You can walk on the sunny side, feel the sun on your face, and see clearly. Or you can choose to move in the shadows. It's up to you.

Resilience
Pride Is About Celebrating and Claiming Our Historic Legacy

John-Manuel Andriote on June 28, 2025

Evan Wolfson, nicknamed “Mr. Marriage,” drew on hope, resilience, tenacity, and clarity of vision to help achieve legal same-sex marriage in 2015. His heroic legacy still inspires.

Evan Wolfson, nicknamed “Mr. Marriage,” drew on hope, resilience, tenacity, and clarity of vision to help achieve legal same-sex marriage in 2015. His heroic legacy still inspires.

Don’t just “stop and smell the roses.” Consider them. Think about their beauty, their petals and thorns. Truly notice them.
Health
Nine Ways to Support and Strengthen Your Mental Health

John-Manuel Andriote on April 30, 2025

The theme of this Mental Health Awareness Month is "Turn Awareness into Action." Supporting your own mental health requires work. Here are nine action steps to take.

The theme of this Mental Health Awareness Month is "Turn Awareness into Action." Supporting your own mental health requires work. Here are nine action steps to take.

Caregiving
Male Caregivers Show What Real Strong Men Are Made Of

John-Manuel Andriote on March 22, 2025

More than 20 million U.S. men already have overcome gender bias to prove men can be equally effective caregivers. It's time to redefine caregiving as a "man thing" too.

More than 20 million U.S. men already have overcome gender bias to prove men can be equally effective caregivers. It's time to redefine caregiving as a "man thing" too.

Poppies in Paris.
Motivation
Use a Slogan or Mantra to Build Positive New Habits

John-Manuel Andriote on January 27, 2025

Already forgotten or broken your New Year's resolutions? Join the club; most people do. But using a succinct, easily remembered mantra can keep you motivated and on track.

Already forgotten or broken your New Year's resolutions? Join the club; most people do. But using a succinct, easily remembered mantra can keep you motivated and on track.

The dents are evident when we look for them.
Identity
Why I Chose to Buy the Beautiful, Dented Pumpkin

John-Manuel Andriote on October 28, 2024

Personal Perspective: Selecting a pumpkin with a dent in one side became a lesson in choosing to embrace beauty in spite of imperfections. I saw myself in that pumpkin.

Personal Perspective: Selecting a pumpkin with a dent in one side became a lesson in choosing to embrace beauty in spite of imperfections. I saw myself in that pumpkin.

Chronic Illness
How Person-First Language Gives You Power

John-Manuel Andriote on August 22, 2024

Using person-first language in your self-talk and communication with others is important to bust the stigma of, and claim the power to live with, a chronic health condition.

Using person-first language in your self-talk and communication with others is important to bust the stigma of, and claim the power to live with, a chronic health condition.

Bastian, the instructor in our Champagne and cheese tasting class in Paris, pours a glass of bubbly.
Aging
What Paris Taught Me About Being "Older"

John-Manuel Andriote on July 28, 2024

Personal Perspective: My last night in the City of Light showed me the pleasure and power of embracing, rather than resisting, the role of oldest in the room.

Personal Perspective: My last night in the City of Light showed me the pleasure and power of embracing, rather than resisting, the role of oldest in the room.

A scene at North Shore Pride 2019, in Salem, Mass.
Sexual Orientation
Pride Comes From Choosing to Embrace Your Truth

John-Manuel Andriote on June 13, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Pride is the opposite of shame. It's a choice between hiding and openness. It's about defining yourself instead of allowing others to define you.

A Personal Perspective: Pride is the opposite of shame. It's a choice between hiding and openness. It's about defining yourself instead of allowing others to define you.

Resilience
What We Tell Ourselves Hard Experiences "Mean" Matters a Lot

John-Manuel Andriote on June 7, 2024

Personal Perspective: A trip to Paris could have been ruined on the first day if I had chosen to let it. Life happens. All we get to choose is whether to accept that fact or not.

Personal Perspective: A trip to Paris could have been ruined on the first day if I had chosen to let it. Life happens. All we get to choose is whether to accept that fact or not.

With Bill Bailey at Waterford, Virginia's annual House & Garden Tour, October 6, 1991.
Relationships
Learning Love and Loyalty in the AIDS Crisis

John-Manuel Andriote on April 20, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Bill's early HIV diagnosis loomed large, but as death neared, the love and loyalty between us outshined the painful memories.

A Personal Perspective: Bill's early HIV diagnosis loomed large, but as death neared, the love and loyalty between us outshined the painful memories.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
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