Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elizabeth Banks. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Elizabeth thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

The realization that I was different came to me at a young age. “Boys to the right, girls to the left” the gym teacher would say. That statement confused me. Just like the toys at McDonalds confused me, as the voice in the drive-thru box asked; “boy toy or girl toy?” I would sit, waiting in the backseat. And I would quietly accept the label my mother chose for me: “girl.” So, when the time came in gym class, that’s where I sorted myself; “girl”. This moment would lead me down a 30-year path of conformity and ultimately, misery.
I knew my mind worked differently. But I came from a rural Kentucky town in Appalachia where words like “autism” and “nonbinary” simply weren’t spoken. So, I spent my youth and young adult years really lost and struggling. It took me too long to find myself.
After college, I was incorrectly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I was put on medications that were counterproductive to my mental health. I was told repeatedly that I had bipolar disorder, despite my doubts. This confusion went on for nearly a decade.
It wasn’t until my early 30s that I was finally diagnosed with autism. This diagnosis brought a profound sense of relief. I finally had words to describe who I was and why I experienced the world differently. And that is my defining moment.
Proper mental health care changed my life. I no longer felt lost or broken. I realized I simply think differently. I began to see my differences as strengths and embraced my true self. This also meant loving myself and coming out as nonbinary for the first time at 35 years old.
Receiving proper medical care changed my life. And now, I’ve become an Adult Peer Support Specialist and a LGBTQIA2S+ healthcare advocate. And it’s pretty great. I get to help others succeed in ways that would have seemed out of reach to my younger self.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Elizabeth, my pronouns are she/they. I’m a healthcare advocate and Adult Peer Support Specialist located in Morehead KY. I advocate for equitable inclusion, particularly for LGBTQIA2S+ and neurodivergent individuals. I use my background in political science and lived experience to advocate for positive change within the LGBTQIA2S+, neurodivergent, and behavioral health communities.

I am also the founder of You Deserve LLC, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for equitable inclusion. Many LGBTQIA2S+ individuals face significant barriers to receiving quality healthcare, primarily due to stigma and a lack of understanding of their unique needs. This causes gaps form, leading to significant health disparities within the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

With a background in political science, I have a deep understanding of the systemic challenges marginalized communities face. This knowledge allows me to approach advocacy strategically, addressing barriers and advancing equitable solutions. As an Adult Peer Support Specialist (APSS), I bring essential skills in empathetic listening and crisis intervention, which are crucial for maintaining inclusive, supportive environments.

What sets me / YOU DESERVE apart:

Provider Empowerment – I empower healthcare providers to cultivate an atmosphere of inclusivity and respect, particularly for queer and transgender patients. I conduct workshops to equip healthcare providers with the tools to use affirming language for LGBTQIA2S+ patients, ensuring every patient feels safe, respected, and empowered to share vital information for comprehensive care. I will deliver talks at conferences and professional development seminars, often for CME credits, to reveal actionable strategies for bridging gaps in care and ensuring all patients receive the dignified treatment they deserve. I also will work directly with physicians and providers to support their individual needs and help them create more inclusive practices for their LGBTQIA2S+ patients.

Patient Education – I spread awareness and create educational materials on topics such as PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), safe binding practices, the importance of the HPV vaccine, and other health concerns specific to LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. By doing so, I aim to bridge knowledge gaps and empower LGBTQIA2S+ individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. I also provide compassionate peer support as an Adult Peer Support Specialist and moderator of support groups, empowering individuals to connect and grow through shared experiences. My goal is to create a supportive community where everyone can find understanding, strength, and encouragement.

Resource Distribution – I connect individuals with essential tools, information, and support, bridging gaps in healthcare, education, and access to necessary healthcare products. I focus on ensuring individuals have the resources they need by equitably distributing healthcare products and support, empowering those in need.

Intake Policy Improvements – I advocate for changes in intake paperwork to include options for pronouns, gender identity, and chosen names, ensuring that patients feel respected from the very first point of contact. By improving these foundational policies, I will help create a healthcare environment where LGBTQIA2S+ patients feel seen and valued, supporting their ability to receive effective, compassionate care.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

My community has a profound impact on my leadership. Representing a marginalized group comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility, and it is that sense of responsibility that guides my actions every day. I aim to represent my community well, and that means listening to them, understanding their needs, and ensuring they have a voice.
In all of my work, I strive to be both inclusive and collaborative. One way I ensure this is by having all of my work peer-reviewed. I actively seek feedback from others within my community to make sure that my initiatives accurately reflect their needs and perspectives. I value the experiences and gifts of the people in my community, and I work to elevate their voices through every project I undertake. It’s important to me that my work not only supports my community but also empowers them to take an active role in shaping it.

But progress like this can exist in a vacuum, sure my community needs me. But I also need my community.

(1) actually listening to my community
(2) peer-review
(3) delegating tasks to my community

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I mentioned a lot of this in the answer to the very first prompt “Defining Moment”.

But here’s more context: I’ve spent much of my life letting others define who I am, how I should feel, and who I should become. I’ve had to relearn this. My youth was emotionally cumbersome, and my young adult years also saw challenges. Despite rebuilding myself, over-and-over, I continued to be defined by others. Finally, I started defining myself. Now, I’m the parent of two-year-old twins, and I am reminded every day of the importance of authenticity. I want my children to grow up in a kind, equitable, and inclusive environment. One that I didn’t necessarily have.

Defining Moment: The realization that I was different came to me at a young age. “Boys to the right, girls to the left” the gym teacher would say. That statement confused me. Just like the toys at McDonalds confused me, as the voice in the drive-thru box asked; “boy toy or girl toy?” I would sit, waiting in the backseat. And I would quietly accept the label my mother chose for me: “girl.” So, when the time came in gym class, that’s where I sorted myself; “girl”. This moment would lead me down a 30-year path of conformity and ultimately, misery.
I knew my mind worked differently. But I came from a rural Kentucky town in Appalachia where words like “autism” and “nonbinary” simply weren’t spoken. So, I spent my youth and young adult years really lost and struggling. It took me too long to find myself.
After college, I was incorrectly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I was put on medications that were counterproductive to my mental health. I was told repeatedly that I had bipolar disorder, despite my doubts. This confusion went on for nearly a decade.
It wasn’t until my early 30s that I was finally diagnosed with autism. This diagnosis brought a profound sense of relief. I finally had words to describe who I was and why I experienced the world differently. And that is my defining moment.
Proper mental health care changed my life. I no longer felt lost or broken. I realized I simply think differently. I began to see my differences as strengths and embraced my true self. This also meant loving myself and coming out as nonbinary for the first time at 35 years old.
Receiving proper medical care changed my life. And now, I’ve become an Adult Peer Support Specialist and a LGBTQIA2S+ healthcare advocate. And it’s pretty great. I get to help others succeed in ways that would have seemed out of reach to my younger self.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://youdeservellc.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youdeservehealthcare/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youdeservellc
• Other: Blue sky https://bsky.app/profile/youdeserve.bsky.social