This Trans Needs Assessment was undertaken by the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) between the Fall of 2012 and the Spring of 2014.
The primary objective of the research was to gain a better understanding of the needs of trans people (including transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, intersex, and otherwise gender non-conforming) in order to enhance capacity among AIDS service organizations (ASOs) to serve them.
Under the guidance of a National Community Advisory Committee, and with ethics approval from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Research Ethics Board, we conducted a bilingual national survey of trans people between September 2013 and January 2014. There were eighty-one questions on the survey, exploring gender, income, employment, housing, experiences of discrimination and harassment, support, health care, health status, transition, use of AIDS service organizations, and other needs.
Data from the 256 completed and 204 partially completed surveys were used in the analysis. Of respondents who identified as men or women, there was almost equal representation. Over one quarter (26%) of respondents identified as genderqueer. The median age of respondents was 29. They were, on the whole, well-educated (43% had an undergraduate degree or college diploma, and 11% had a Master’s Degree or a Ph.D). One-third were students at the time of the survey.
We also conducted key informant interviews with representatives from seven AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) and two LGBTQ health services organizations, to explore trans needs from the service providers’ perspectives, as well as challenges in service delivery.
Download the report: Trans needs assessment