Grant: Op Grant: TiC- Best and Wise Practices Grants- Transgender/Intersex Condititions

Intersex variations are variations in sex characteristics (genitals, hormones, chromosomes, reproductive organs) which vary from the established norms for 'male' and 'female'. Between 0.05-4% of the population has intersex variation, with some variations being as common as twins or red hair. Most variations are natural and healthy, but they (and their medical treatments typically from a very early age) can influence physical appearance, function, fertility and sexual wellbeing. Within global healthcare settings and Canadian history, intersex individuals and wider LGBTQ2 communities have raised concerns linked to basic human rights i.e. physical and bodily integrity. While globally some work has looked at changing healthcare practice, language and policy, this transition is mostly focused on child-to-adult healthcare. Across Canada we have not collaboratively undertaken any studies with Canadians with intersex, of any age. We have no Pan-Canadian support groups for 'intersex' or leaders in the area of translating what we do know into useful information for Canadians with intersex or their healthcare teams. For Canadians with intersex variations we must understand current health care practices at times of transition to set research priorities. We need to learn which local-to-provincial drivers or policies are inspiring current healthcare practices, explore how medicine and other professional services, social scientists, policy advisors and advocacy networks (can) work together with this population across urban and rural Canada. In achieving this we can start to map, explain, and enhance life-cycle transitions for an estimated 700,000 Canadians with intersex in line with the recommendations outlined by Justin Trudeau (2017). We propose a mixed-method research study that uses a community driven, participatory, action-oriented approach to explore what is happening in parts of Canada and provide recommendations for future health care practice towards lifelong wellbeing.