As a psychiatrist, I am concerned about presidential actions, particularly the targeted attacks against LGBTQ+ people, and specifically transgender children’s ability to access medical care and their ability to participate in athletics.

I spent a decade working in a multidisciplinary gender clinic. Transgender youth represent a small minority of youth who deserve our care and support as much as any other. I recall a heartbreaking moment when a 12-year-old patient asked me through tears, “Why do they hate us so much?” as they grappled with national news headlines.

I am similarly troubled by the president’s commission into the use of psychotropic medications. I trained for 10 years to become a psychiatrist. As a physician, my colleagues and I follow the evidence-based guidelines and work collaboratively with patients around treatment decisions. Access to medications is critically important.

The data is clear and supported by science. Gender-affirming care saves lives. For some, psychotropic medication saves lives. The fear and the twisting of the narrative has moved far away from the science.

Fear is working; ordinary citizens and our own elected officials appear afraid to stand up. I applaud Gov. Mills for recently speaking up to President Trump with grace and courage.

As a psychiatrist, the clinical issues are in “my lane.” However, arguably for all of us, kindness, civility, equality and our shared humanity are in our “lanes.” There is power in collective action. If the opposite of fear is courage, then Mainers should stand up and be courageous together.

Dr. Erin L. Belfort
Child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist
Portland