Many counselors work with clients who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, a group at disproportionately higher risk of substance use and diagnosis of substance use or other mental health disorders. Engaging with this presentation will allow all counselors to better empathize with, advocate for, and uplift their LGBTQIA+ clients. We will discuss relevant history and discrepant rates of substance use and SUD diagnosis in the LGBTQIA+ community while learning strategies for providing identity-affirmative counseling for members of this population presenting with SUD.