Health and well-being of trans and non-binary participants in a community-based survey of gay, bisexual, and queer men, and non-binary and Two-Spirit people across Canada

Abstract

There is a paucity of population health data on the experiences of transgender, non-binary, and other gender minority gay, bisexual, and queer men, and Two-Spirit people in Canada. To address this gap, this article presents a socio-demographic and health profile of trans and non-binary participants from the community-based bilingual 2018 Sex Now Survey. Participants were recruited in-person from Pride festivals in 15 communities to self-complete an anonymous paper-and-pen questionnaire. To be eligible, participants needed to be at least 15 years old, live in Canada, either report a non-heterosexual sexual identity or report sex with a man in the past 5 years, and not report gender identity as a woman. Through community consultations the survey was inclusive of trans men, non-binary people, and Two-Spirit people. Three gender groups (cisgender, transgender, and non-binary) were created, and trans and non-binary participants were compared with their cisgender peers across a variety of demographic, mental health, sexual health, and general health indicators. Odds ratios were calculated to determine initial significance for categorical variables, and adjusted odds ratios were calculated to control for five possible confounders (age, ethnoracial identity, country of birth, sexual identity, and financial strain). Significant differences emerged across all sets of indicators, with many of these findings remaining significant after adjusting for confounding variables, including significantly higher reported rates of mental health challenges and sexual health service barriers for trans and non-binary participants compared to the cisgender group. Trans and non-binary participants were also more likely to be in polyamorous relationships. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that trans and non-binary people experience significant disadvantages compared with cisgender sexual minority men. Improved educational supports and employment protections, access to queer and gender affirming healthcare, and trauma-informed mental health services are needed to improve the health wellbeing of trans and non-binary people in Canada.

Young age, student status and reported non-binary gender associate strongly with decreased functioning during Covid-19 pandemic in a university community

“…These findings, together with those regarding low resilience, support the view that NBG individuals were more vulnerable to the stress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences than BG participants, suffered from increased psychic symptoms and consequently, decreased FUNCT. Non-binary individuals represent a disadvantageous, marginalised minority, being at risk of victimisation and discrimination stress (Rutherford et al 2021; Schmits et al, 2021). Thus, it is understandable that additional social stress related to Covid-19 pandemic had so detrimental effect on their every-day FUNCT and that NBG individuals may need a special attention and support during ongoing and future pandemics.…”

Trans Adults Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: Quality of Life, Pandemic Impact, and Vaccine Preferences

“…However, Matijczak and colleagues [ 60 ] found that gender and sexual minority (GSM) respondents were not more likely to delay or avoid testing/treatment for COVID-19, as compared to their non-GSM counterparts. Rutherford and colleagues [ 16 ] found that trans participants ( n = 446) were more likely to report both being vaccinated for HPV and being denied the HPV vaccination than the sexual minority cis men ( n = 3083) in the sample. Future research should examine whether trans individuals experienced barriers to receiving COVID-19 vaccinations and policy/practice shifts ensuring these barriers are not reproduced in the future must be made.…”

“…Despite documented increased risk factors, including heightened risk for HIV, HPV, and other conditions [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], trans individuals may avoid seeking medical attention. Nearly a quarter of respondents in the U.S. Trans Survey reported not seeing a doctor when they needed to for fear of being mistreated [ 11 ].…”

“…Andrasik and colleagues [ 14 ] found that trans individuals ( n = 13) were more likely to maintain low HIV risk profiles and follow trial procedures than their cisgender (cis) counterparts ( n = 681). In one study ( n = 3529), Rutherford and colleagues [ 16 ] found that, while more likely to report being vaccinated for HPV than their cis counterparts, trans respondents were also more likely to report being denied the HPV vaccination than sexual minority cis men in the sample (4.1% vs. 1.6%). In their qualitative examination assessing knowledge of HIV vaccines among trans women, Taylor et al [ 15 ] also identified barriers to HIV vaccine access, including fear of side effects or feeling excluded from biomedical research.…”

Sampling sexual and gender minority youth in Canada and the US: Lessons in cost-effectiveness from the UnACoRN internet-based survey (Preprint)

“…Following SGM youth–specific recruitment recommendations from previous studies [ 11 , 23 ], our team designed the study’s website, social media campaigns, and distribution materials to emphasize the research project’s larger goal of contributing evidence toward efforts to make SGM youth feel safe and included ( Figure 1 ). The promotional materials were distributed in French and English.…”