By: Alexis Moren
The progress of LGBTQ+ rights has seen significant advancements globally, although challenges remain. Over the past few decades, there have been major milestones such as marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws, gender identity rights, parenting rights, and the LGBTQ+ community serving openly in the military. Despite these advances, challenges persist. I have been part of conversations discussing how lucky we are to live during this time. This sparked my curiosity – are we? Do LGBTQ+ kids and teens feel this way? I have the pleasure of being close to a pre-teen trans girl who dreams of becoming both a trauma surgeon and a published author. I asked her to tell us about her journey and her aspirations.
“I am trans. This does not define me but it sure plays an important part in many aspects of my life; I have been bullied at school, had to keep my identity a secret while on sports teams, been shunned and not accepted by one of my parents who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, and constantly live in fear that I am going to be “found out” and denied access to things I love. On the flip side – I have another set of parents who love, accept, and advocate for me any chance they get. It is with their support that I hope to be both a trauma surgeon and an author.
I do not feel that I am as carefree as my friends. I am constantly watching my surroundings, making sure I wear the appropriate clothing as to not give anything away. At the age of 7, I was diagnosed with body dysmorphia. Although I meet with endocrinologists and therapists often, I live in constant fear of puberty, and long for the day to start hormone therapy. I crave connection with other kids like me. These encounters are often created over Zoom with kids who are similarly looking for a connection. These connections are not natural, even though we are meeting like people we often don’t have the same interests, leaving most of us with continued feelings of isolation and loneliness.
I am lucky. I am not blind to the fact that there are others who do not have an accepting family or live in an area where LGBTQ+ rights are not recognized. This can result in kids running away from home, being bullied, and ultimately becoming victims of violence. It is because I know that the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans individuals, are targets of violence and hate crimes that feeds my desire to become a trauma surgeon. Despite being bullied or feeling isolated, I have always tried to be nice to others. Growing up I have spent countless hours asking my mom, a trauma surgeon, to tell stories of saving lives. She shares stories but focuses more on the situations that cause people to end up in the trauma bay. She is largely involved in helping marginalized people, and I have come to realize that I am part of this minority group. For me, becoming a trauma surgeon makes sense. I know there is a group of people who could benefit from a doctor who can not only help them physically but can connect with them on an emotional level. I am often scared to go to the doctor, becoming shy and scared when asked my gender or asked to undress for a physical exam, even if the person knows me. I am uncomfortable in my body. I can feel the judgment of others and I’d rather leave the medical office than continue. I know I am not the only one – I think of all the transgender people who are unable to transition or do so in their older age and how they must fear the stares, comments, and judgment. I hope to be a writer and a trauma surgeon. Writing allows me to create a perfect world of equality where I escape all my anxiety and fears.”
While significant strides have been made towards equality and acceptance, the youth of today live very much like how many of us did; ashamed, fearful, and anxious. Hopefully, the narrative is changing, but ultimately the global landscape of LGBTQ+ rights remains uneven, necessitating ongoing advocacy and legal efforts to protect and expand rights for all to feel safe and equal.
Dr. Moren is a Trauma, Critical Care & Acute Care Surgeon at Salem Health in Salem, Oregon, and an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Moren received her fellowship training in Trauma & Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her General Surgery Residency at Oregon Health & Science University and received her MD/MPH from St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies.