Wayne Mai & Team
LGBTQ-Rx
Wayne Mai & Team
Jasmin Rowe (any pronouns) studied cognitive science at UCSD. They plan on going to school to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse, hoping to study and work their way up to becoming a pediatric nurse. Currently, they work as a Youth Development Professional for the Boys and Girls Club, an organization they once were a part of, bringing in new social, emotional, and physical experiences for youth.
Aayush Pagaria (he/him) graduated with honors from the University of California at Berkeley, where he studied Molecular and Cell Biology. There, he also began working as a medic in the Gay Men’s Health Collective of the Berkeley Free Clinic, providing STI testing and treatment to marginalized community members. Through his undergraduate thesis, he investigated the role that HIV plays in mediating neuroinflammation of the frontal brain tissue. Since graduating, he works full time at SH Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology as a medical assistant. Aayush plans to become a physician-advocate with clinical interests in infectious diseases and the immune system. He enjoys singing and discovering new cafes.
Wayne Mai (they/all) is a UCSD graduate who majored in Human Biology and an aspiring pediatrician who aims to work with trans teens in the future. Their focus is to address vulnerabilities in healthcare space, especially for LGBTQ+ youth, by meeting patients on their level. Volunteering with the LGBTQ+ Center, UCI Gender Diversity, San Diego Pediatricians for Clean Air, and the street medicine organization Wound Walk, they have learned the different forms of medical advocacy and community engagement.
Natalie “Nate” Pak (she/they) is a neurodivergent independent scholar and LGBTQIA+ activist who graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, San Diego in 2024 with a degree in Sociocultural Anthropology. Pak’s research focuses on LGBTQIA+ issues with a focus on gender identity and the experiences of transfeminine individuals. Currently, Pak works as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to support patients in diverse healthcare settings. Pak’s work as a CNA informs their research, as they are able to analyze the intersection of marginalized identity and healthcare through both the lenses of a provider and a former patient. In addition, Pak is a part-time cast member at Disneyland, where they continue to foster their passion for human connection.
SESSION OVERVIEW
What We Wish We Heard: Affirmations as Preventative Care for LGBTQ+ Youth
LGBTQ+ youth report discomfort, hesitancy in disclosure, and fear of judgment when discussing sexual health, gender identity, mental health, or family dynamics. The consequence of this reluctance reaches professional spaces in the form of delayed care and avoidable risks. This session will explore an aspect of this professional space, healthcare, by sharing the perspective of LGBTQ+ presenters’ relationship with healthcare and the insights of LGBTQ+ professionals working in the field. Attendees will learn what goes into creating an affirming environment, ways to advocate for their youth, and receive resources to create this welcoming space.
Presenter Jasmin Rowe (any pronouns) will open with a reflection on their experience as an LGBTQ+ youth that has yet to come out to their parents. They will discuss the impact of reactions and responses from adults and how it has shaped their confidence in their identity, how they are trying to heal, and lessons they’ve learned to create a safe and affirming environment for youth.
Presenter Aayush Pagaria (he/him) will draw on his experience as a gay Indian immigrant and pre-medical student to explore intersectionality, cultural trauma, and growing up in two lives. He’ll reflect on coming out at 18, “quiet advocacy,” and what he wishes he had heard. He’ll offer guidance for supporting LGBTQ+ youth navigating disclosure, religion, family dynamics, and sexual health vulnerability.
Presenter Wayne Mai (they/all) will discuss their experiences on finding an affirming environment as a trans youth, including a vital “shoulder-drop moment” with their pediatrician. They will discuss how to create trustworthy spaces where youth feel comfortable to trust providers with their lived identities.
Presenter Nate Pak (she/they) will share their experiences growing up transfeminine in South Korea, a conservative country, and analyze how her experiences with gender-affirming medical treatments inform her perspective on LGBTQ+ healthcare. Meanwhile, she will offer insight into the importance of familial support and how families can navigate societal, anti-LGBTQ+ pressures.
The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with two professionals in healthcare, Dr. Vivienne Hau (she/her), vitreoretinal surgeon and co-chair of the American Society of Retina Specialists Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ad-Hoc Committee, and Brit Cervantes (they/them), Program Coordinator of UCI Gender Diversity and founder of Gender Affirming Professionals. Brit and Dr. Hau will provide their insights on being LGBTQ+ in the healthcare field and provide advice on what a professional can do for the LGBTQ+ youth they work with.