Trans Women and Gender Diverse People (TGD) Sub-Hub
Background
Transgender (trans) and gender diverse (TGD; an inclusive term capturing many diverse genders such as trans, Two-Spirit, and nonbinary) people experience high rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs). This is partly because of how society expects everyone to be cisgender (identify with the sex they were assigned at birth) and because of the discrimination TGD people face for being trans. This context puts TGD people in more vulnerable positions that increase their risk of getting HIV/STBBIs, and it affects the health and social care they receive.
Recent research suggests that TGD people who receive gender-affirming care, like hormone therapy and surgeries, are more likely to know about STBBI prevention strategies and care, and more likely to continue care if they do develop HIV or STBBIs. Unfortunately, access to care that can support the health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse people is limited, even in Canada.
Our sub-hub’s work draws attention to both stigma as a barrier and gender affirmation as a facilitator to HIV prevention and care for TGD person’s, and actively works to reduce stigma and promote access to affirmation among TGD people.
Our Team
CO-LEAD
Ashley Lacombe-Duncan
She/Her
Dr. Ashley Lacombe-Duncan is Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Michigan and Adjunct Scientist at Women’s College Hospital, where she co-leads the Trans Women and Gender Diverse People HIV/STBBI and Health Research Initiative. Her research focuses on healthcare access and health equity, with a particular focus on healthcare access for people who experience multiple forms of intersecting oppressions. Specifically, her community-based interdisciplinary research agenda advances two overarching areas: (1) Sexual and reproductive healthcare access among LGBTQ+ people and women living with HIV, with a substantive focus on trans women living with HIV; and, (2) Social ecological, intersectionality and multi-level stigma theoretical approaches applied to understand and address LGBTQ+ and women living with HIV’s health in local and global contexts. Ultimately, Ashley seems to inform interventions to remove multi-level barriers and increase access to intersectionally-affirming healthcare.
CO-LEAD
Asya Gunduz
She/Her
Asya Gunduz is a community incubator, trans activist and researcher who has an M.A in Gender Studies at the University of Gothenburg. Currently working as policy lead on trans and gender diverse HIV prevention at the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, she has had more than 6 years of experience in front-line and administerial roles at sexual health clinics, peer-to-peer navigation programs and NGOs in Turkey, Sweden and Canada. She is one of the initiators of LubunTO, a recently fledging community for LGBTI+ people from Turkey living in Toronto. She is co-chair of Trans Women and Gender Diverse People HIV/STBBI Research Initiative (TWIRI) as well as co-Vice chair at the Board of Maggie's Toronto, sex worker justice organization. Her intersectional endeavors are rooted in anti-colonialism, refugee advocacy and GIPA/MEPA.
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COORDINATOR
Angela Underhill
She/Her
Angela Underhill is a PhD Candidate in the Family Relations and Human Development program at the University of Guelph. She is also the Research Manager of the Women HIV and Health Research Program at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, Canada and the Trans Women and Gender Diverse People Sub-Hub Coordinator. Angela is an interdisciplinary, feminist scholar and educator who focuses on feminist research approaches to advance social inclusion and equitable care, particularly as it relates to sex, gender, and sexual and reproductive health. Angela believes community-based research is essential to contributing to meaningful, sustainable, and positive change for people.
Sub-Hub Priorities
Sub-Hub Initiatives
Contact TGD
Contact Rsha Soud for any inquiries related to the Trans Women and Gender Diverse People Sub-Hub.
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We are always looking for folks who are, or who support trans and gender diverse people to join our mission. Please reach out if you would like to join!
Sub-Hub Land Acknowledgement
The TGD People Sub-Hub would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land where we reside, work, play, and love. Our members consist of Indigenous peoples, settlers, and allies, and we are spread across the lands now known as Canada. We encourage everyone to get to know the land they are on, the history of the land and traditional owners, and to find local initiatives to support Indigenous peoples and their rights. As one act of solidarity, we highlight local Indigenous-led and supportive organizations when presenting on our Sub-Hub’s work and financially contribute to their missions.