Gender Dysphoria

For the first time in a long time, today I have experienced this. Someone called from my endocrinologist’s office to reschedule an existing appointment, and left a voicemail. When I listened to the voicemail, I cringed when I heard the person say, “This message is for Miss Liam Paschall…” Seriously?!?!? First of all, does “Liam” sound like a female’s name?? Second…did you take the time to look at my chart to see my gender before you called??? Obviously not.

I usually give people the benefit of the doubt. If they slip up and use my dead name, pronoun, etc., as long as they don’t do it again. BUT someone calling from my doctor’s office — that is just unacceptable…and has basically ruined my entire day.

Gender dysphoria is the feeling of discomfort or distress that might occur in people whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth or sex-related physical characteristics.

Transgender and gender-nonconforming people might experience gender dysphoria at some point in their lives. But not everyone is affected. Some transgender and gender-nonconforming people feel at ease with their bodies, either with or without medical intervention.

I certainly went out to the MyChart portal and send my endo a message letting her know just how much this bothered me, and how disrespectful I thought it was.

I know…I haven’t posted anything recently. I promise I will be providing an update soon. There’s just a lot going on right now with my career, my wife and I trying to sell our house and buy a new home (to get out of this closed-minded city we currently live in), combined with my medical appointments, etc.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Liam