Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and other people of diverse sexualities and genders (2S/LGBTQQIA+) continue to be differentially impacted by HIV and STBBIs in Canada. Barriers to accessible and affirming HIV and STBBI testing and treatment services, further exacerbate these health outcomes, especially for some key groups of 2S/LGBTQQIA+ people who face intersecting forms of oppression. For these reasons, 2S/LGBTQQIA+ communities must be meaningfully engaged to shape implementation and rollout of new HIV and STBBI interventions. In response to disparities in HIV, STBBIs, and other health outcomes within 2S/LGBTQQIA+ communities, Community-Based Research Centre has held an annual health conference called The Summit since 2005. The Summit is Canada's largest and longest-running knowledge translation event focused on 2SLGBTQQIA+ health, bringing together health researchers, service providers, policymakers, non-profit organization staff, and 2S/LGBTQQIA+ community members to share new research findings and discuss how new knowledge can be mobilized to promote 2S/LGBTQQIA+ health in Canada. Utilizing community-based research, GIPA/MEPA principles, and intersectional theory, this project will catalyze conversations between researchers, service providers, policymakers, non-profit organizations, and 2S/LGBTQQIA+ community members about new HIV and STBBI research and how this knowledge can be mobilized to address entrenched epidemics and systemic inequities in Canada. Specifically, at CBRC's 2024 Summit, we will hold two concurrent sessions and one keynote panel focused on the latest evidence in HIV and STBBI research and programming within 2S/LGBTQQIA+ communities, and host a "town hall" style forum to collaboratively set priorities for future HIV and STBBI research and knowledge mobilization. We will ensure that 2S/LGBTQQIA+ community members with lived experience of HIV and/or STBBIs are deeply involved in all activities.