Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Despite a call for the inclusion of more transgender and gender diverse (TGD) participants in scientific research, limitations in measurement continue to be a barrier to inclusive research. There are no known sexuality measures validated for use with TGD participants. Non-validated measures may be offensive or insensitive to the experiences of TGD persons. The objective of this study is to examine TDG persons perceptions and critiques of commonly used sexuality measures to develop and validate new trans-inclusive sexuality measures. Using a mixed-methods design to capture both participant experience and measurement with self-report tools, an online, anonymous survey will be administered. Measures include TDG-inclusive demographics and questions relating to TDG participants genital anatomy and gender-affirming practices. Gold-standard measures for assessing various aspects of sexual wellbeing will be used. A series of open-ended questions appearing after each measure will assess the participants perceptions and critiques of each measure that will be used to better inform future research on measure development. Further, a measure of gender dysphoria (GD) will be included at the beginning and end of the survey to identify if the existing measures lead to GD symptoms. Those indicating any GD symptoms will be referred to a mental health professional. This study has important implications for the health sciences, as it will serve to develop inclusive sexuality measures that will allow for the comparisons of sexual outcomes across all genders and bodies within clinical and non-clinical samples. This study aims to improve healthcare outcomes in the trans population and serves to inform healthcare practitioners of their unique sexual healthcare needs and concerns.