LGBT Activities on Application

[aklvkk]

I've read through threads about mentioning one's sexual identity (LGBTQ+) on an application, and a lot of people seemed against it. More specifically they seemed against casually mentioning their identity in the application.

That said, I'm currently heavily invested in a few activities surrounding the LGBTQ community. Some of it has less to do with healthcare and more about social justice, but I'm planning on tying the two together in the near future.

Would it be okay to mention that in my application? I'm assuming it'll go under the activities section. It's less about "why I want to go into medicine" and more about "I'm interested/passionate about this because it concerns my identity."

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[Doudline]

Mentioning one's sexual orientation/non-cis gender has little bearing on admissions if it is not substantiated by activities, and even perceived by some as taking "advantage" of your status.

Obviously this doesn't apply to you. Talk about your difference, implication in the LGBTQ community and how it affected you at will.

 

[aklvkk]

thank you! I was a little unsure because while I have a couple of activities that I'm invested in, they're unrelated to health care. I guess it'll just be one of those spice-it-up factors in my app.

 

[RuggerMD]

LGBTQ+ people face different health challenges than other populations, whether due to direct medical issues or socioeconomic and psychological factors that impact health. My bet, you could tie your experiences back to healthcare fairly well because in the case of any community involvement with disadvantaged people, understanding leads to better care/accessibility.

I talked about it and even stated that I'm not interested in mainly serving that community, but talked about how it shaped how I would practice. I got interviews as schools both where I mentioned it and where I didn't. I kinda figured if they screened me out because of that, I wouldn't have wanted to go there anyways. I used the additional information section on secondaries to talk about it on one or two apps or when I was describing an experience in a secondary on a few others.

 

[Satire5Texul]

No.

Think about who is interviewing you ? it likely isnt someone who has grown up and seen the recent changes and likely grown up during a time of acceptance. Of course your physician should be open-minded and all the sparkles and jazz that make a good pre-med, but if someone is interviewing you more than likely they were licensed 20 years ago roughly. And even if they are open-minded, would you want to take that chance ? and even if they are gay themselves or pat of the spectrum, dont you think that they will be as critical if not more of your application so they dont showcase favoritism toward your identity ?

I don't agree with "I wouldn't want to go there anyways". Because the people that are sometimes teaching and all the factors that comprise a school has little to do with someone's biased opinion.

I am sorry, but this is my opinion, working with doctors and hearing the stupid comments that are made. You should see how people react when a stereotypically gay patient comes in. For some its "lets treat and fix". For others, its lunch-time conversation due to lack of luster in their life.

As a gay person you have a particularly difficult task. Of staying true to who you are. While also in my opinion showcasing that being on the spectrum or gay is not your primary identity. Why does that have to do be the foot you lead with ? Are there other identities you are identity yourself ?

A good test is.... " I am ______". what are the first 5 things that come to mind.

The process is already a snow-mountain marathon run. Dont make it harder for yourself.
Just wanted to share some experience. When I interact with faculty I wear conservative clothes, I am never outlandish, stoop to serious and focus on the issue/task at hand. The only time this guard is down is with women.
Otherwise I have seen being otherwise, did no good for me in the long run.

Mention those things on your application. As you are passionate. Do not lead with it in interviews. Stray away from using it as a primary indicator of "what are you passionate about ?". Why not come off as someone who dips into uncomfortable territory and has passion for human rights, but that doesnt have a particularly fixed dimension of identity.

You should be a good judge of character. If you sit down and the person wreaks of conservatism, abort and do not mention it.
This is just my opinion.
People who are not gay have hardly taken the time to look at what it means and what it takes to grow up with such a thing.
Dont bank on faculty being understanding. Bank on them being conservative

 

[gyngyn]

LGBTQIA applicants are an enrichment to any class, especially if you have shown a commitment to service to the community.

 

[Goro]

Personally, I think we've reached the point where it doesn't add any hook anymore. I much rather see someone who is an advocate for HIV+ patients, or has engaged in charities for HIV+ treatment in the Third World, or doing something for the gay people being persecuted in many African countries these days. ie, Walk the walk in addition to talking the talk.

It's not something to mention for LUCOM or Loma Linda, either.

I've read through threads about mentioning one's sexual identity (LGBTQ+) on an application, and a lot of people seemed against it. More specifically they seemed against casually mentioning their identity in the application.

That said, I'm currently heavily invested in a few activities surrounding the LGBTQ community. Some of it has less to do with healthcare and more about social justice, but I'm planning on tying the two together in the near future.

Would it be okay to mention that in my application? I'm assuming it'll go under the activities section. It's less about "why I want to go into medicine" and more about "I'm interested/passionate about this because it concerns my identity."

 

[Winged Scapula]

In counterpoint to the point stated by the user above, most US faculty are going to be Late era Baby Boomers/Gen X and would have grown up during a time of increased openness and acceptance. Furthermore, while most physicians are likely fiscally conservative, they tend to be socially liberal and being part of the LGBTQ community is not a big issue. If the activities are important to you, feel free to mention them where appropriate.

 

[aklvkk]

Thank you for your input! Would being involved in bettering/improving/helping the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in my local community count as walking the walk? E.g. becoming involved in local (non-profit) LGBT organizations, or (as you mentioned) becoming engaged in removing the stigma from HIV+ patients, etc.

Hopefully when the time comes, I would've done research on the school's I'm applying to so as to avoid the ones that are less open/tolerant of sexual minorities.

Personally, I think we've reached the point where it doesn't add any hook anymore. I much rather see someone who is an advocate for HIV+ patients, or has engaged in charities for HIV+ treatment in the Third World, or doing something for the gay people being persecuted in many African countries these days. ie, Walk the walk in addition to talking the talk.

It's not something to mention for LUCOM or Loma Linda, either.

 

[Rowlander]

It is best to be yourself, if they have a problem with it then you probably don't want to be there.

 

[Goro]

Absolutely! I was just rattling off examples off the top of my head.

One thing to consider about schools is while the schools themselves might be welcoming to LGBT students, the local community might not. Using DO schools as an example, Kirksville, MO =/= Philadelphia, PA.

Thank you for your input! Would being involved in bettering/improving/helping the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in my local community count as walking the walk? E.g. becoming involved in local (non-profit) LGBT organizations, or (as you mentioned) becoming engaged in removing the stigma from HIV+ patients, etc.

Hopefully when the time comes, I would've done research on the school's I'm applying to so as to avoid the ones that are less open/tolerant of sexual minorities.

 

[jakeyk]

It is best to be yourself, if they have a problem with it then you probably don't want to be there.

Bingo. You do you. If there is a bias against you because of your LGBT ECs then you definitely don't want to be attending that school anyways.

 

[wasteofspace323]

I just realized you can click view results then go back and vote.

 

[Promethean]

I'm transgender. I didn't feel the need to disclose that directly in my personal statement directly or in the interview, because there is a lot more to me than that and it wasn't totally relevant.

I did talk about my concerns regarding disparity of access and barriers to care faced by people whose sexual orientations and gender identities/presentations are in the minority. That is because addressing those concerns is the passion that fuels me and makes me want to do all this. It is why I need to be a doctor, and was totally relevant.

And the world isn't the place it was 20 years ago. Now, you aren't outing yourself as personally LGBT just because you were involved in advocacy/activism for any particular group. Cis-gender heterosexuals are often great allies, and do work for causes that don't affect them personally.