Dr. Robert Davies is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and Co-Founder and Director of the UCHealth LGBTQ Mental Health Clinic otherwise known as the Imagine Clinic. He also co-founded their Integrated Transgender program. Bob leads with the intimate details of his story which is inspiring and at times heart-breaking. He talks about being raised Southern Baptist and how before he knew he was gay, he grew up feeling different. Bob describes how the 70's were a much different time. People didn't talk about being Gay or what that meant. Up until 1972 you couldn't practice as a psychiatrist if you were openly gay because you weren't "psychologically sound". In this conversation, we talk about the rampant homophobia and transphobia in this country. Bob gives us an in-depth look at the challenges that the LGBTQ and Trans communities face when trying to receive quality mental health care and medical support. This is an important, informational and hopeful conversation. Here is our episode! ------- Imagine Clinic: https://lgbtqcolorado.org/resources/imagine-clinic-lgbtq-mental-health-clinic/ Integrated Transgender Program: https://www.uchealth.org/services/diabetes-endocrinology-care/uchealth-integrated-transgender-program/ ------- Consider joining us on this journey by going to Patreon.com/soulstoriesdenver! ------- 4:48 - Growing up Southern Baptist: "feeling different and wrong" 10:20 - Homophobia in the 70's 13:56 - Bob's relationship to his mom 16:10 - Coming out at 41 after being married for 20 years 24:48 - the AiDS epidemic in the 90's 27:54 - Fears of being openly gay as a psychiatrist 35:16 - The origins of the Imagine Clinic 40:20 - What quality LGBTQ mental health care looks like 48:30 - Building a Transgender clinic with all-inclusive, integrated services 53:35 - The lack of safety and understanding for the Trans community 57:28 - A historical perspective on oppression 1:02:06 - What LGBTQ youth face today and hope for the future 1:11:23 - Misunderstanding body dysmorphia and Transgender folks 1:16:31 - "Educating people that were never educated" 1:20:12 - The importance of accepting someone as they are See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.