As the Drag Race star shares her personal journey, Dr. Deano Reyes of Hara Clinic explains why authentic transition is about “core” health, not just medical protocols.
When Marina Summers shared her transition publicly, the announcement was met with an outpouring of support. Not only for the courage it took to speak openly, but also for the quiet clarity with which she framed her journey.
In a personal statement, Marina reflected on years of self-questioning, the decision to socially transition in early 2025, and later beginning Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). It was not a sudden reinvention, she emphasized, but a long-considered step toward living more honestly.
Her story has resonated widely, in part because it mirrors a broader shift happening in the Philippines. There is a growing awareness that gender-affirming healthcare is not fringe, experimental, or performative. It is a legitimate, patient-centered medical practice grounded in evidence, ethics, and care.
What gender-affirming care actually means
Gender-affirming care refers to a spectrum of medical and psychosocial support designed to help individuals align their physical characteristics, identity, and presentation with their gender. This can include counseling, social support, and for some, hormone therapy. All are approached deliberately and under medical supervision.
According to Dr. Deano Reyes, Medical Director of Hara Clinic, one of the most misunderstood aspects of gender-affirming care is the assumption that it follows a single, rigid pathway.
“As a gender-affirming care doctor, I’ve seen every version of the journey,” Reyes says. “Some patients want to start hormones immediately. Some want to go slow. Some don’t want hormones at all and choose therapy, counseling, or social transition first. And all of those paths are valid.”
For Reyes, gender-affirming care cannot be reduced to a checklist or protocol.
“Gender-affirming care isn’t protocol-based medicine,” he explains. “It’s deeply personal medicine. You don’t just treat labs or prescriptions. You get to know the person. Their family. Their fears. Their dreams. Their identity. You walk with them through some of the most intimate parts of their life.”
More than medicine: The “Hara” philosophy
While public conversations around transition often focus on visible changes, healthcare professionals stress that the internal and emotional dimensions of care are just as critical.
“That’s why it’s impossible not to care,” Reyes says. “What makes a great GAHT doctor isn’t just clinical knowledge. It’s listening, truly listening, and meeting patients exactly where they are, at their own pace.”
International medical associations, including the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, recognize hormone therapy as an evidence-based treatment for gender dysphoria when clinically indicated. In practice, physicians emphasize that outcomes vary, timelines differ, and careful monitoring remains essential.
At Hara Clinic, Reyes notes, this philosophy is foundational rather than incidental.
“That’s why our clinic is called Hara,” he says. “It’s a Japanese word that means your core, your most authentic self. And honestly, nothing captures the transgender journey better than that.”
Visibility and medical responsibility
Marina’s decision to share her story publicly carries weight in a country where transgender healthcare remains poorly understood and often politicized. Yet her message avoided advocacy slogans or demands. Instead, it centered on personal truth, patience, and gratitude.
That tone, Reyes observes, reflects how most transitions actually unfold in real clinical settings.
“This isn’t about rushing or trends,” he says. “It’s about giving people space to make thoughtful decisions about their bodies and lives, with medical guidance and without judgment.”
Why this matters
As conversations around gender identity become more visible, access to accurate information and responsible healthcare becomes increasingly important. Stories like Marina’s help humanize what is often reduced to debate, reminding the public that behind every discussion is a person navigating deeply personal choices.
For many Filipinos, this moment is less about celebrity and more about understanding. Gender-affirming care exists, it follows medical standards, and it prioritizes patient dignity above all else.
And for Marina, as she wrote in her announcement, it is simply about moving forward, honestly, openly, and on her own terms.
Gender-affirming care refers to a spectrum of medical and psychosocial support designed to help individuals align their physical characteristics, identity, and presentation with their gender.
About Hara Clinic
Hara Clinic is a physician-led clinic offering gender-affirming healthcare alongside holistic health, sexual wellness, and regenerative medicine services. Its approach to transgender care is grounded in science, medical ethics, and individualized treatment planning, with an emphasis on patient safety, informed consent, and long-term well-being.
The clinic provides structured support for individuals exploring or undergoing gender-affirming care, including medical evaluation, hormone therapy management, and ongoing monitoring in a respectful and inclusive environment.
For more information or to book a consultation, visit haraclinic.ph or contact WhatsApp, Viber, or Telegram: 0917 177 4272.
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