Young adulthood is a time of discovering who you are, how you want to show up, and what feels most true to you. When cancer becomes part of that journey, identity and self-expression can shift in layered and unexpected ways. Many young adults impacted by cancer find themselves renegotiating visibility, authenticity, and belonging during and after treatment.
For LGBTQIA+ young adults, survivorship can include additional layers shaped by community, safety, pride, and resilience. These experiences are often intertwined with both personal identity and collective care. Pride Month offers an opportunity to honor those realities while uplifting queer voices, creativity, and connection.
In this June edition of The Inner Canvas, True Colors, we are highlighting Pride Month by intentionally centering LGBTQIA+ voices and artists while exploring authenticity through creative coping. Participants will engage in guided activities designed specifically for young adults impacted by cancer, using reflective writing, journaling, mindfulness, visualization, and art response. Together, we will explore identity, pride, and connection through both personal reflection and acts of collective care.
This session includes creative responses to work by queer and trans artists and writers, as well as an optional letter-writing activity that allows participants to offer affirmation and support to trans and gender diverse individuals through a national letter-writing initiative. Structured creative activities are paired with moments of reflection and connection with other young adults who understand the intersections of identity and survivorship.
No art experience is required. This is not about creating something polished or “good.” The focus is on expression, affirmation, and meaning-making rather than aesthetics or outcomes. Participants are encouraged to engage at their own pace and share only what feels comfortable.
Who: Young adult patients/survivors (ages 18 to 45) impacted by cancer
What: A 90-minute guided creative workshop led by Lauren Morales, LCSW
When: Every Third Wednesday of the month. June 17th, 2026 @ 3:00–4:30 PM PT / 5:00–6:30 PM CT / 6:00–7:30 PM ET
Where: Virtual on Zoom