Grant: Team Grant: HIV/AIDS and STBBI Community-Based Research - General Key Pop. - LOI

This grant seeks to build on previous knowledge with respect to trans people and HIV, in order to develop an action research programme that will strengthen the capacities of trans sex workers in Canada to respond to the HIV epidemic. In 2024, we know that globally, trans women are the population with the most significant HIV prevalence rate of any group. Moreover, HIV rates are especially high among trans women who are sex workers. If we are to respond adequately to HIV and its challenges, specifically with respect to trans women, we need to centre the needs of sex workers. The current initiative builds, then, on what we already know, offering a response to HIV and STBBIs that is specifically focused on trans women sex workers, and that is primarily about building their capacity as researchers, community members and workers. There are three main elements to this work: 1) building trans sex worker public spaces as an integral part of responding to HIV and STBBIs; 2) Trans Formation, a national training school that seeks to develop the capacities of trans sex workers as health educators, workers, community organizers and researchers, and; 3) community consultation with respect to possible future research work and capacity building. The three components of this initiative will facilitate the development of a Full Application for a CBR Team Grant. Enacting knowledge mobilization strategies in the form of public social events, emphasizing training and mentorship, and engaging in substantive consultation with trans sex workers, this project offers an innovative way to build a response to HIV and STBBIs for trans sex workers, such that one of the subpopulations most affected by the HIV epidemic can develop and deliver culturally appropriate solutions to these health challenges.