Nov 15, 2023·edited Nov 15, 2023Liked by Jessica Craven
You are a rock star!!! (Have I said that at least once before??!!) What a fabulous story that touches my heart!! There are so many more of us out there whose hearts haven't frozen over and who can respond with compassion to all manner of human suffering, especially for our young people.
Thank you so much for all you do, for encouraging us to join in, and for modeling how we can make a difference. With love and blessings, Terry PS posted to TwitX and FB
In response to the previous post about the high school student being denied the role in Oklahoma!, I wrote the following email to the school board:
SISD:
My name is Gary Stewart. I am an internal medicine physician and therefore specialize in the care of all adults for the full range of medical and emotional problems they have.
One of the fundamentals of medical care is to be non-judgmental and accepting of the full range of human expression. Failure in that is fatal to being able to provide the best medical care for every patient, without bias.
Gender includes a complex set of behaviors that an individual expresses based upon internalized thoughts and feelings that make sense to them as a unique individual, and the person they understand themselves to be.
It is a totally distinct issue from chromosomal sex and related physical manifestations based upon that.
It is my understanding that Max Hightower is a trans child in your school district who has been informed that he cannot play the starring role in his high school's production of Oklahoma!, because of a policy limiting students to playing roles that conform to their chromosomal make-up.
This rule is an anachronism based upon unwarranted fears and/or narrow morals that are, in my professional, medical opinion, emotionally harmful and constitute a form of bigotry (bigotry: "prejudice against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular group"), in this case directed to all persons who elect to conform to a gender distinct from their set of chromosomes.
Medicine is a secular pursuit, and whenever moral beliefs, faith-based or otherwise, are invoked, and then applied to direct the medical decision-making of those who do not share those beliefs, it is emotionally traumatic.
In addition to these considerations, the playing of roles that require portrayal of a character distinct from the actor's own gender or chromosomal make-up, is an integral part of being an actor on the stage or in the cinema.
I encourage SISD to revisit the district's policy and invite expert opinion on the medical understanding of gender. If that were to be undertaken with an open mind and a dedication to do what medical science would advise is best for the students, I am confident that Max would be allowed to play the role best-suited to him and his talents, according to the judgment of the musical production's director.
I would like to think that respectful emails such as this played at least some tiny role is helping to correct this cruel and misguided policy sufficiently to allow this high school student to just be the best person they can be. I advise greater reliance upon ethics (society-based, involves reasoning, seeks universals) as opposed to morals (individually-based, demand obedience to hard and fast rules, and not in search of universals). So, there are medical ethics, but not medical morality.
Nov 15, 2023·edited Nov 15, 2023Liked by Jessica Craven
You -- and your letter -- are a major reason I engaged with Jess's group. Simply perfect. Sharing your professional opinion in a collegial and helpful manner clearly had an impact. I am energized to do more from Michigan!! Thank you for sharing, Gary.
You are very kind, and clearly have your heart in the right place. Every little bit helps. I have had a lot of success writing to a wide variety of folks (journalists, historians, writers, etc.) and, frankly, the responses I get are, I believe, largely the result of being honest, fair, and congenial, even when offering opinions with which people may disagree. Allowing for that is important, and always, always, showing gratitude for the time and attention they are freely giving. One example, I have had a few emails back and forth with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who created the Emmy-Award-winning documentary Many Rivers to Cross, and it was all because of an email I sent him unsolicited with an observation about the made-for-TV movie based on Uncle Tom's Cabin that was broadcast on Showtime in 1987, which followed the book closely and did not portray Uncle Tom as an aging man serving as an apologist for the slaveowner, but, to the contrary, a young, healthy many who died fighting against a despicable slaveowner, as he is described in detail in the book. Professor Gates was responsive, respectful and thanked me for showing interest in the subject. I was very clear in letting him know that I was very appreciative of his time and deep knowledge. But, like I said, it started with an email to him from out of the blue by an unknown person.
I have dear friends whose trans son Noah was just selected to direct our local (Eugene, OR) Symphony for a youth concert. He’s a bassoon player who is learning tenor sax (no bassoons in jazz band) and is an amazing young man. His mom recently resigned as minister at a local church (open and affirming congregation) as the second in longevity pastor of that congregation.
You are a rock star!!! (Have I said that at least once before??!!) What a fabulous story that touches my heart!! There are so many more of us out there whose hearts haven't frozen over and who can respond with compassion to all manner of human suffering, especially for our young people.
Thank you so much for all you do, for encouraging us to join in, and for modeling how we can make a difference. With love and blessings, Terry PS posted to TwitX and FB
Thank you Terry!
In response to the previous post about the high school student being denied the role in Oklahoma!, I wrote the following email to the school board:
SISD:
My name is Gary Stewart. I am an internal medicine physician and therefore specialize in the care of all adults for the full range of medical and emotional problems they have.
One of the fundamentals of medical care is to be non-judgmental and accepting of the full range of human expression. Failure in that is fatal to being able to provide the best medical care for every patient, without bias.
Gender includes a complex set of behaviors that an individual expresses based upon internalized thoughts and feelings that make sense to them as a unique individual, and the person they understand themselves to be.
It is a totally distinct issue from chromosomal sex and related physical manifestations based upon that.
It is my understanding that Max Hightower is a trans child in your school district who has been informed that he cannot play the starring role in his high school's production of Oklahoma!, because of a policy limiting students to playing roles that conform to their chromosomal make-up.
This rule is an anachronism based upon unwarranted fears and/or narrow morals that are, in my professional, medical opinion, emotionally harmful and constitute a form of bigotry (bigotry: "prejudice against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular group"), in this case directed to all persons who elect to conform to a gender distinct from their set of chromosomes.
Medicine is a secular pursuit, and whenever moral beliefs, faith-based or otherwise, are invoked, and then applied to direct the medical decision-making of those who do not share those beliefs, it is emotionally traumatic.
In addition to these considerations, the playing of roles that require portrayal of a character distinct from the actor's own gender or chromosomal make-up, is an integral part of being an actor on the stage or in the cinema.
I encourage SISD to revisit the district's policy and invite expert opinion on the medical understanding of gender. If that were to be undertaken with an open mind and a dedication to do what medical science would advise is best for the students, I am confident that Max would be allowed to play the role best-suited to him and his talents, according to the judgment of the musical production's director.
Respectfully,
Gary M. Stewart, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Medical Board of California License #: G-37183
**********************************************************
I would like to think that respectful emails such as this played at least some tiny role is helping to correct this cruel and misguided policy sufficiently to allow this high school student to just be the best person they can be. I advise greater reliance upon ethics (society-based, involves reasoning, seeks universals) as opposed to morals (individually-based, demand obedience to hard and fast rules, and not in search of universals). So, there are medical ethics, but not medical morality.
Gary
I LOVE this and I'm certain that it was letters like yours that helped them make their unanimous decision. Thank you!
Thank you so much for the shout-out, Jessica. It was your post that motivated me, and seeing this little win will boost my motivation for days.
You -- and your letter -- are a major reason I engaged with Jess's group. Simply perfect. Sharing your professional opinion in a collegial and helpful manner clearly had an impact. I am energized to do more from Michigan!! Thank you for sharing, Gary.
You are very kind, and clearly have your heart in the right place. Every little bit helps. I have had a lot of success writing to a wide variety of folks (journalists, historians, writers, etc.) and, frankly, the responses I get are, I believe, largely the result of being honest, fair, and congenial, even when offering opinions with which people may disagree. Allowing for that is important, and always, always, showing gratitude for the time and attention they are freely giving. One example, I have had a few emails back and forth with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who created the Emmy-Award-winning documentary Many Rivers to Cross, and it was all because of an email I sent him unsolicited with an observation about the made-for-TV movie based on Uncle Tom's Cabin that was broadcast on Showtime in 1987, which followed the book closely and did not portray Uncle Tom as an aging man serving as an apologist for the slaveowner, but, to the contrary, a young, healthy many who died fighting against a despicable slaveowner, as he is described in detail in the book. Professor Gates was responsive, respectful and thanked me for showing interest in the subject. I was very clear in letting him know that I was very appreciative of his time and deep knowledge. But, like I said, it started with an email to him from out of the blue by an unknown person.
Thank you!!!
Thanks for all your energy for this work. I made my calls for this day.
Thank you, Nina!
I have dear friends whose trans son Noah was just selected to direct our local (Eugene, OR) Symphony for a youth concert. He’s a bassoon player who is learning tenor sax (no bassoons in jazz band) and is an amazing young man. His mom recently resigned as minister at a local church (open and affirming congregation) as the second in longevity pastor of that congregation.
Amazing!
Jumping. For. Joy❣️❣️❣️
Right? So good!