About Us → News & Events Stigma Warrior: Meet Christy

My name is Christy Olezeski, I am the Director and co-founder of the Yale Pediatric Gender Program (YPGP), an interdisciplinary team that provides services for transgender and gender expansive (TGE) youth and families in Connecticut.

It’s important to recognize the systems of oppression that we live in and work to disrupt them. We must remember that stigma and discrimination comes from outside systems that are trying to silence minoritized populations. We cannot think we are bad or wrong ourselves; we must recognize that oppressive systems and hostile environments are creating the negative environments we are living in.

The way I fight stigma is to live my authentic life. I work within a system that has historically privileged certain populations and identities. I choose to be open with my students and colleagues (and patients when appropriate) to center my lived experience as a first-generation college student who identifies as a bi, cis woman, daughter to an immigrant from a working-class background. I center these identities, as I want to be true to who I am, although I have many privileges including education, a solidly middle-class income and a straight passing relationship. With my current privilege, I work to challenge the misconceptions in my lived experience and try to elevate the experience of other traditionally minoritized populations.

At the Yale Pediatric Gender Program we work every day to

provide compassionate, interdisciplinary, patient centered care to individuals 3-25, with their input at every step throughout their time with us. I strive to help youth live their authentic lives in a supportive environment, increasing community connections and pride as much as we can.

With my clinician/educator hat, I have worked with colleagues at the School of Medicine and the Yale Law School to write a point-by-point rebuttal re: the Attorney General’s guidance in Texas, the legislation in Alabama and state guidance in Florida limiting gender affirming care for transgender and gender diverse youth. I continue to teach and educate on best practices related to medically-necessary, evidence based gender affirming healthcare across the country.

My advice to anyone facing stigma and discrimination within their community is to know that you are not bad or wrong and there are people who love you for who you are and want you to feel safe and comfortable in being your authentic, beautiful selves.