Seta Haig is the Assistant Program Director at Didi Hirsch in Glendale. She joined the organization as a clinician over 12 years ago.
At the intersection of culture and allyship is where you’ll find Seta. Remaining close to her therapist roots, Seta became involved with GALAS (Gay and Lesbian Armenian Society) in Los Angeles. Since 2022, Seta has helped to facilitate the Soorj (Coffee) Session support group.
For Seta, working with the LGBTQ+ community is a personal calling. She feels a personal responsibility to support others who may not have support at home when coming out.
“There are no terms in the Armenian language that describe topics that exist within the LGBTQ+ community,” said Seta. “Often times, people – especially youth – fear that coming out means having to choose between their families or living authentically.”
This leads to the heartbreak and pain that Seta so often hears about in the group while they are navigating their reality. As a result, those within this community need to abandon their family, culture, or themselves.
“Having to choose between these two identities is an impossible choice. They don’t know how to be both; there’s no intersection to lead a healthy life.”
80% of the participants in the Soorj Sessions are youth and Seta refers them to our services at Didi Hirsch, making sure they are connected with the resources they need to live their truth and their lives unapologetically, despite cultural stigma.
“Our community has a long way to go – there is change, there is progress, but there still is a lot of prejudice.”
Soorj sessions are held once every two months in Burbank and all members of the LGBTQ+ community are welcome. For more information about GALAS, visit their website.
