June is Pride Month, an incredible opportunity for us to celebrate the rich diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community at Women’s and beyond. This month, we’re featuring members of our Pride Committee.
Name: Katie Wilson
Pronouns: she/her/they/them (check out this article on multiple pronouns)
Title & Department: Communications Coordinator, Strategic Communications
On the WCH team for: 10 months
1. Why did you decide to join thee Pride Committee in such a meaningful capacity this year?
Being queer myself, Pride is a big part of my life. Being on the Pride Committee is one of many ways that I can bring my whole identity to work. It allows me to help celebrate my community, educate and inform my colleagues across the hospital and allows me to connect with other people who are as passionate about 2SLGBTQ+ equity and justice as I am.
2. What work makes WCH an inclusive place for 2SLGBTQ+ Communities?
To me, something that sets WCH apart from other workplaces I’ve worked at is that there is open 2SLGBTQ+ representation across all levels of the hospital, from the highest leadership positions to the casual part-time employees. When I see others like me that are respected and valued for their work and effort as employees, as individuals and as leaders, it lets me know I can expect that for myself as well.
It’s so cool to be working at a place where wearing your identity proudly contributes to the culture that will encourage future 2SLGBTQ+ employees to do the same.
3. What is your greatest wish for 2024 as it relates to Pride Month and healthcare?
My greatest wish for 2024 is for better and more accessible healthcare for trans and non-binary folks. I think a lot of the population aren’t really aware of how deep the struggles are that trans people face in accessing healthcare. Trans Pulse has many very interesting, very important studies on how trans folks interact with the healthcare system including this one from 2019, where they found that trans and non-binary people often preferred to avoid seeking care altogether for a pressing health issue they are experiencing, instead of risking discrimination and denial of their identity.
I hope organizations like WCH can continue to set the standards in healthcare for trans and non-binary people, and we can work on restoring the trans community’s faith in the healthcare system, so they may freely access care for any health concern they have without the fear of rejection.
4. Who is your 2SLGBTQ+ Pride role model? Why?
My co-workers that know me closely know that I’m REALLY into playing sports. I’m in a handful of 2SLGBTQ+ leagues (soccer and softball) and drop-in programs (dodgeball and shinny) that prioritize building safe spaces for women, trans and non-binary folks to build or heal their relationship with sports and movement.
My Pride role models are the queer folks in my community that have put time, effort and resources into creating and maintaining these sports leagues – not only do they allow folks to re-discover the joy of moving their bodies but they’ve built a space for queer people to meet, connect, and have fun. I have made countless good friends from playing in these leagues and hope one day I’ll be able to give back to my community the way my role models have.