This week, we interviewed Gabriel González (they/them or he/him), a junior from South Gate, CA concentrating in Health and Human Bio. Gabriel is also a PLME (Program in Liberal Medical Education) student. Read our conversation below:

How’s your junior year going?
I don’t know how she’s doing right now. I’m kind of doing okay in two classes. I understand what’s going on, but with orgo right now, it’s just not fun and very stressful. I feel like I’m constantly playing this catch up game with all the classes, though I technically do now what I’m doing. But it doesn’t really feel like that so it’s kind of just like the shrug emoji ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  

But things are exciting too because ever since my first year, my relationship with my family has gotten much better. My parents are trying to figure out how to deal with their discomfort with me being gay and preferring feminine things. I’m still able to talk to them so that’s good. Now I’m thinking about the real possibilities of studying abroad and doing research over the summer and thinking of doing a thesis. Things are exciting, but kind of weird.

Favorite memory during your time at Brown?
One option is finally seeing CupcakKe with friends. Also, during this past TWTP, seeing all the queer and trans people, especially those of color, seeing them come in – it’s something that gave me life and still does.

How has your perception of Brown changed over the years?
Lol. I first thought I understood that Brown is this really rich, fancy place with lots of white people, lots of wealth, but I didn’t realize the extent of it. Some of it is nice. It’s nice to say you go to an Ivy League, but it’s still kind of strange.

With regards to PLME, I thought there would be more PLMEs who were or are U-FLi, who hold stigmatized identities instead of upper middle class students whose parents are doctors. I thought I would be seeing less of them, so I guess it’s something that’s been weird for me to navigate. That’s why it’s all the more important to make sure FURM is still going strong since it’s inception last semester, after lots of student stress, advocacy, and push back from administration.

Favorite part of your concentration? What led you to it?
It’s really flexible. I think it’s really flexible and I’m able to combine what I think is important to prepare me to become a physician down the road and advocate for queer and trans people. My interests are focused on queer and trans health, and why providers are causing negative experiences for these people.

What community at Brown has been most influential in making it feel like home?
I feel like my close circle of friends is U-FLi, QTs of color. They make me feel validated, affirmed, loved, all this good stuff, and I really appreciate them for that.

Who is the most influential person in your life? 
She’s not at Brown, but she’s really been a role model for me. Her name is Berenice Estrada. She’s from Huntington Park in California. The amount of resilience she carries with her is really striking for me. I know it’s really corny and everything but her mind is literally like, ugh, I can’t. She’s great.