Researcher bios and how their research backgrounds relate to this study
Prior to Laurier, Maryam Khan was pursuing my doctoral studies in Social Work at York University, Toronto, Ontario. Her doctoral research critically examined the resistance strategies and agency of LBTQ Muslim women living out their intersectional identities (race, ethnicity, religiosity, spirituality, sexuality, gender identity and expression) in the Global North amongst the hegemonic norms existing in both normative Muslim and LGBTQ communities. Maryam Khan's research interests and areas of expertise include community-based research, community development and clinical counselling with the following individuals and communities: LGBTQ+ Muslims in the Global North; Racialized Trans and gender-variant persons and access to healthcare; Racialized, ethnic, religious and sexual minorities; Violence against women and gender variant persons; Non-normative sexualities, gender identities and expressions; substance use, addictions, mental health and sanism; Visible and invisible (dis)abilities, neurodiversity and ableism; Social policy, service and program provision to gender and sexually diverse persons and communities; Race, racialization and imperialism; Sexual minorities and Islam; Religiosity, spirituality and social work practice; Homeless and street involved persons in sex work; and Intersectional identities, identity politics. (Source: https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty-of-social-work/faculty-profiles/maryam-khan/index.html)
Purpose of this research project
This one-year Ontario specific study seeks to critically explore access to chlamydia screening, testing, and management for Indigenous, Black, People of Colour (IBPOC) who identify as disabled trans and cis queer women and femme-presenting Two-Spirit and non-binary individuals. Several gaps in current research have prompted this qualitative research endeavor. Mainstream approaches to chlamydia testing, screening, and healthcare guidelines have historically ignored the needs of the above-mentioned populations. Further, there is a lack of culturally appropriate resources available to healthcare professionals in sexual health that meaningfully and respectfully engages diverse individuals and communities. The proposed study will fill gaps by comprehensively reviewing public health guidelines on chlamydia–particularly screening, testing, and management of this infection-to unearth research knowledge on facilitators and barriers to service. Conducting interviews and using storytelling methods with 25 individuals who identify with the above-mentioned populations to identify lived experiences from wholistic, critical feminist, and disability justice perspectives. Lastly, the project will compare results from the comprehensive review with the new data (interviews) to produce recommendations and strategies that are culturally relevant for the above-mentioned individuals. Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC), and its community advisors, in conjunction with Wilfrid Laurier, Victoria, and Dalhousie universities will co-facilitate the research cycle until grant completion. Research knowledge will be mobilized via presentations, academic articles, and 1-2 plain language summaries, 1-2 technical reports in both English and French which will target healthcare practitioners, future researchers, community members, policymakers, and academics to advance culturally relevant strategies to support chlamydia testing and management and the broader sexual health of target populations.
How this research will help LGBT2SQ people and communities
This research will help to fill gaps in current research knowledge about the unique intersectional experiences of chlamydia testing for disabled IBPOC who are trans woman, cis woman and femme-presenting non-binary and Two-Spirit persons in Ontario, Canada. Participants will contribute to creating change towards more inclusive chlamydia testing recommendations for healthcare providers in Ontario, Canada. The results will help policy makers by informing best practices on chlamydia testing and current academic conversations surrounding chlamydia testing.
Participants
Eligibility Criteria: To be included in this study, you must identify as the following;
- 16 years old or older
- Indigenous, Black, and/or a person of colour
- Trans or cis queer women, femme-presenting Two-Spirit, and non-binary persons
- Have resided in Ontario, Canada for at least three months in the past 5 years.
- Living with a disability (we are using the Accessible Canada Act definition of disability as "any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment - or a functional limitation - whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society." We will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate participant accessibility concerns and needs throughout the research process).
- Have lived/living experience accessing chlamydia testing in Ontario (we are using an expansive understanding of chlamydia to ensure that infections which may be related to chlamydia, but aren't often included are also counted in this definition. For example, urethritis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease (salpingitis), proctitis, bacterial vaginosis, mixed vaginitis infections, chronic asymptomatic infection, endometritis, perihepatitis, and ocular trachoma when caused by chlamydia can be considered.)
Compensation
For participating in this study, you will receive an honorarium of Canadian $100 after the qualitative interview.
Mitigation measures
A list of resources will be share with participants who need further mental health or other support following the interview. Our interview team has also been trained in a trauma-informed qualitative research approach in an effort to help redirect away from distress and avoid re-traumatization during interviews. Finally, all aspects of this study from the consent form to the interview protocol and guide have been reviewed by a Community Advisory Board made up of people who share the same social locations as potential particiapants and their input has been incorporated.
Promoting the Study
We are contacting a number of organizations in Ontario that offer health and other services to 2SLGBTQ people and communities. We are also promoting the study across our CRBC social media channels such as Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theCBRC/posts/pfbid02KD4AJDNzvX9b1Vjeq8huYUWz2YD1BoKhXwm6w9Vmqr6iPA7TqWLtp8xYto7Ci9mUl) , Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/C_-wjwCuTkT/?hl=en) and Twitter (https://x.com/CBRCtweets/status/1835688692955910209).