Researcher bios and how their research backgrounds relate to this study

I (Dr. Coleman) received my PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Western Ontario in 2014 and an Honors Bachelor in Health Sciences (Minor: Anthropology) from the University of Western Ontario in 2007. After my PhD studies, I worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the HIV Prevention Lab in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University over 2014-2016, under Dr. Trevor Hart. Prior to joining the Department of Health Sciences in 2017, I worked as a Public Health Epidemiologist with the Middlesex-London Health Unit in London, Ontario. The main focus of my research is on population and community health and research methods. Specifically, my research explores health issues as they differ according to sexual orientation and gender identities. These include access to health care services, chronic conditions and infectious conditions such as HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections. My research covers the spectrum of these health issues as they relate to populations, families, communities, and individuals. I also work with various community representatives on community-based research initiatives which assist underserved populations conduct rigorous community- and policy-relevant research.

Purpose of this research project

Members of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) diverse groups report experiences of stigma and discrimination with a higher frequency of adverse health outcomes compared to the heterosexual and/or cisgender population. This finding highlights a need for health equity approaches, based in corresponding government policy, that recognize the impact of SOGIE diversity in the programming and delivery of services by public health units to this population. However, there is no current health policy strategy addressing health disparities in Ontario’s SOGIE diverse groups, and health equity approaches are not reflected in programming and delivery. Ontario’s 34 public health units currently offer health promotion and disease prevention programming related to healthy “lifestyles”, communicable disease control (including education in HIV/STBBIs, immunization, healthy growth and development, and selected screening services), among others. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care guidelines specify that information related to sexual orientation and gender identity should be collected in a timely manner and programming should take it into consideration. The Chief Public Health Officer of Canada’s 2021 Report on the State of Public Health in Canada emphasizes the need for upstream action and mobilizing community involvement; the need for qualitative and mixed-methods research approaches; the need for disaggregated and equity-oriented data (including by sexual orientation and gender identity). This project will: 1) explore public health policies, documents, standards, and data related to SOGIE diversity; 2) collect perspectives from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities about experiences with public health services; 3) identify experiences of public health representatives about connecting with and including 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in their work; and 4) informed by data, and the use of knowledge mobilization strategies throughout the project will ensure that a variety of stakeholders (e.g., SOGIE communities, public health practitioners, policymakers, researchers) are included in considering key implications, and providing recommendations for policy and practice. The goal is to reduce stigma and health inequities for members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

How this research will help LGBT2SQ people and communities

The goal is to reduce stigma and health inequities for members of the SOGIE (2SLGBTQIA+) community through advocacy for more equitable public health policies and programs.

Participants

2SLGBTQIA+ community members included in the interview must have accessed public health services at one of the public health units in Ontario within the past five years. We will screen 2SLGBTQIA+ community members using a screening survey to ensure that we have a good distribution of social locations and intersectional identities. Thus, not all 2SLGBTQIA+ community members who express interest and meet the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate in an interview.

Compensation

$40 gift card for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members

Mitigation measures

The researchers will emphasize that participation is completely voluntary, and participants can skip or stop participation at any time if they are not comfortable answering questions or become distressed because of the questions related to discussing professional/lived experiences. All participants will be provided mental health resources on the letter of information/consent should they wish to talk to someone about these experiences.

The study team will maintain strict confidentiality of all participant information. Participants’ identities will not be revealed in any publication or presentation of study results. They will be referred to by general characteristics, such as their social identities, but no other identifying information will be included, such as place of work. In addition, participants will be informed that they can choose not to answer any questions that they do not feel comfortable answering and that they may withdraw from the study without penalty.

To minimize the risk during interviews, researchers will emphasize the confidential nature of the interaction and data, the absence of prejudice and judgement on the part of the researchers (i.e., safe space), and clearly explain that participants may decline to respond to questions as needed, and further, may withdraw their participation at any point, without consequence. If a participant presents as experiencing distress of any form, we will stop the interview and offer them the opportunity to reschedule or withdraw, as appropriate. They will be provided referrals to appropriate counselling, as needed.

Promoting the Study

We are advertising on social media networks, email listservs, pride centres/groups, HIV service organizations, and other nonprofit agencies.

We are advertising on social media networks, email listservs, pride centres/groups, HIV service organizations, and other nonprofit agencies.
Are you a member of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities? Have you used any program or service offered by your local public health unit in Ontario? If you answered yes, follow this link https://linktr.ee/2slgbtqpublichealth for more information about the study and how to participate.