This ethnographic qualitative study explored the needs of transgender people of color, including biological transitioning issues, gender and group membership identity formation, HIV, and other health issues. The sample consisted of transgender youth and adults of color in San Francisco (N = 43). Data were collected from in-depth interviews with 20 youth and adults and focus groups with 23 individuals. The study focused on perspectives of racial and ethnic minorities from Asian/Pacific Islander, African American, and Latino backgrounds. The medical decision-making perspective was used to gain a deeper understanding of sociocultural and psychological factors affecting transgender individuals of color in San Francisco. The major themes that emerged were gender identity, group membership, transitioning and related issues, sex work, alcohol and drug use, mental health and health care, sense of community, HIV, resources, and other support. Key clinical considerations that health providers can use to improve care of transgender individuals of color are included.
Recent analyses reported in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) show that among all racial groups in the U.S., Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) had the only statistically significant increases in HIV/AIDS diagnosis rates in the most recent four-year period. Yet this fact is not noted in the discussion or editorial notes in the MMWR issue where this information is reported. Because HIV rates in API communities are still relatively low, we have a critical opportunity to develop effective prevention programs for API American communities before these alarming indicators translate into markedly higher HIV prevalence in API communities in the U.S., as has occurred in other U.S. communities and in the Asia/Pacific region.
This program model preliminarily demonstrates that national capacity-building initiatives can foster coalition development, replication of program models, materials sharing, and new leadership that improve HIV-related prevention services for A&PI communities.
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