Celebrating Pride Month - A Profile on John F. Charitable, MD

Jun 20, 2023 John F. Charitable

An updated piece from Dr. John F. Charitable's article published on June 8, 2022

As many know, June has become known by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) community and their allies as Pride Month.

John F. Charitable

This month's history dates back several decades as a way to commemorate the uprising of the LGBTQIA community in the 1960’s against discrimination and injustice, a fight that still continues today. What started as a small march in a few select cities at the end of June 1970 has now grown into a month-long celebration with hundreds of celebrations arranged worldwide. 

While I would love to keep the tone of this article bright and celebratory, there is significant darkness to be addressed. The LGBTQIA community has faced a number of issues in the first half of 2023. There have been at least 12 transgender individuals murdered, with most of them being transgender women of color. Those are 12 people who were loved and cared for and whom are now irrevocably removed from the lives of those who knew them. While this is no forum for political debate, the fact remains that there has been a significant increase in bills proposed and/or passed which ultimately limit certain rights for the LGBTQIA community, many specifically targeting the transgender community. This has led to many individuals relocating away from their friends and family to more “tolerant” states. The Human Rights Campaign, founded in 1980 to ultimately fight for and protect the rights of the LGBTQIA community, has gone so far as to declare a “state of emergency” for the LGBTQIA community.

This year, I urge the allies in our vascular community to take a moment to reflect on something about themselves that is perhaps unique in some way. Then, imagine that trait is the subject of national political debate, the subject of legislation, the target of violent attacks and a trait that has cost others their lives. That is what the LGBTQIA community, especially our transgender colleagues and patients, faces every day, and it is why we need the support of our allies now more than ever, from local communities to the operating room. The lives of our family, friends, colleagues and patients depend on it.

Happy Pride!

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