young man, Secretary Mabus stated “How much weaker would our country have been, how much weaker would our Navy have been, if we had lost his service for something completely irrelevant to what he was doing? We are stronger BECAUSE of our diversity.”
During the past 5 years I have also been able to work on the initial creation and development of the multidisciplinary care teams that care for the many transgender service members through their gender affirming care. I have also been involved in creating educational experiences for medical students, residents and fellow staff physicians about some of the healthcare disparities and biases that may be experienced as an LGBTQ+ person in various points in their access of healthcare. Some of my most rewarding patient interactions are providing open and accessible healthcare services to members of the LGBTQ+ community, from PrEP to anal cancer screening, to fertility counselling, to gender affirming care.
As I always tell in my LGBTQ+ healthcare lectures, coming out is a journey. From my first uncertain coming out to my mother in high school through to the daily coming out to new colleagues, patients and fellow servicemembers, it’s an evolving story and an ongoing process. I’m proud to be serving in a more diverse service than when my journey started in 2004, and I am confident it will continue to become more inclusive.
Disclaimers:
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the
Navy, United States Marine Corps, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government
I am a military service member. This work was prepared as part of my
official duties. Title 17, USC, 105 provides that ‘Copyright protection under
this title is not available for any work of the U.S. Government.’ Title 17,
USC, 101 defines a U.S. Government work as a work prepared by a military
service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that
person’s official duties.
2LT Ilana Shecter, COM ' 24 and Andrew Shanes, COM '24 present on the Mock Casualty Incident (MCI) held at UNE COM in the fall