When graduate student Carla Ibarra came out as a transgender woman nine years ago, she endured the loss of family members and friends who didn’t want to associate with her anymore. Fortunately, with help from her support network, she learned to stop hating herself and the body she was born in.

On Wednesday, June 1, Ibarra, who studies at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, shared her story at this year’s University of Southern California Pride Month kick-off event. This year, the school’s theme for its participation is “The Power of Community.”

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