The RCH will be proudly participating in this year’s Midsumma Pride March to celebrate the LGBTQI+ community, and to recognise that everyone deserves to be heard, to feel safe, and to belong.

In this week’s #ChampionsforChildren profile and ahead of the march on Sunday, we spoke to Tram, a psychiatrist working in the RCH Gender Service, to hear about why the Midsumma Pride March is important to her, some of her proudest moments in working with young people, and how we can all become better allies of the LGBTQI+ community.

What do you enjoy most about working in the Gender Service?
I really enjoy working with families who come at different points of fear and anxiety. Some of the work we do is reassuring young people and their families that they are valued, and that as a service, we will walk alongside them in their healthcare journey. I am endlessly inspired by the resilience of young people, who often face bullying, marginalisation or discrimination, but who have nonetheless stood strong in being their authentic self.

Why is the Midsumma Pride March and Midsumma Festival important to you?
These events are important as they are a public celebration and a ‘coming together’ of services like RCH, and the LBGTIQ+ community. We are making loud and proud public statements that we are allies to the community and we stand with them. It also gives us the opportunity to acknowledge these community members within the RCH team.

Is there an aspect of the march you look forward to every year?
I march with my family, and my children are always keen to come. I am proud that they can be part of it, and see how inclusion is so important for people. And my youngest child always loves seeing the drag queens—that is a highlight. Sometimes, there are families I know in the crowd, so being able to wave to them is another highlight. There’s nothing like that to warm the heart.

What steps can people in the community take to become better allies of the LGBTIQ+ community?
I think being aware, being curious without judgement, being open to hear about people stories, while also honouring that not everyone wants to tell their stories first up. Be involved in events like Midsumma Festival that support this community. There are so many amazing events that people can get involved in.

What has been your proudest moment of working at the RCH in the Gender Service?
There are so many proud moments. But mostly it is the smiles and joy that is seen in young people when they know that they are accepted. It is pretty awesome when I am told by parents that their young person looks forward to coming to the RCH Gender Service appointments. How many children look forward to hospital appointments? It means that we are providing and serving our families and young people well.