The impact of the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Australian trans community

Zwickl, Sav; Angus, Lachlan; Wong, Alex Fang Qi; Eshin, Kalen; Cook, Teddy; Leemaqz, Shalem; Dowers, Eden; Zajac, Jeffrey D; Cheung, Ada S

doi:10.1080/26895269.2021.1890659

Cited by 23 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…While some research regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and quality of life is starting to be published, results regarding the specific impact on trans communities are still rare. One study regarding the impact of the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic on trans Australians (N = 1019) [ 3 ] found that 49% of respondents reported thoughts of self-harm or suicide and 61.5% experienced clinically significant symptoms of depression. Further, half their sample reported experiencing financial strain and almost a quarter (22.4%) were unemployed [ 3 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One study regarding the impact of the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic on trans Australians (N = 1019) [ 3 ] found that 49% of respondents reported thoughts of self-harm or suicide and 61.5% experienced clinically significant symptoms of depression. Further, half their sample reported experiencing financial strain and almost a quarter (22.4%) were unemployed [ 3 ]. More research is needed to better understand, and thus better serve, trans individuals during the current and future health crises.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately impacting marginalized communities, such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), disabled individuals, and transgender/nonbinary (i.e., trans) individuals [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Within the trans community, individuals may be multiply marginalized—that is, facing systemic oppression from more than one axis at once.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Harner

Munion

Shelton

2021

IJERPH

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The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately impacting marginalized communities, such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), disabled individuals, and transgender/nonbinary (i.e., trans) individuals. As trans individuals may be multiply marginalized, it is necessary to examine within group differences among trans individuals of different genders, races, socioeconomic statuses, and abilities. This study examines the following research questions: (1) What is the quality of life of trans adults during the COVID-19 pandemic? (2) How does the self-reported impact of the pandemic vary across groups within the trans community? (3) What preferences do trans adults have regarding receiving a COVID-19 vaccine? Survey data were collected in August/September of 2020. Among a sample of 449 trans adults, findings suggest that the profound impact of the pandemic was not consistent across all community members. Being a woman predicted a higher self-reported impact of the pandemic while being a masc(uline) white respondent tended to predict a lower impact of the pandemic. Higher income was associated with a higher quality of life and being a disabled white respondent predicted a lower quality of life. The majority (99%) of the sample reported wanting to receive a COVID-19 vaccine should one become available. Implications for practice include the importance of considering the holistic experiences of clients and community members, as opposed to having homogenized perspectives of even subsets of the trans community. Future research related to barriers faced when attempting to access a vaccine is needed to inform future public health responses to epidemics/pandemics impacting this community.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Harner

Munion

Shelton

2021

IJERPH

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“… 7 Their fear of being mistreated on the grounds of gender distinction causes stress, anxiety, and self-destructive behaviors. 9 The transgender community is at a fourfold higher risk of suicide. 10 This article highlights the possible contributing factors towards the increase in suicide rate in trans people in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, as they are more vulnerable and sensitized to stress, resulting in a higher risk of poor psychosocial outcomes.…”

Section: Mental Health and Suicide Risk In Transgender Peoplementioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide in Trans Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Shoib¹,

Saleem

Javed

et al. 2022

Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine

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cardiac abnormalities, asthma, or renal disorder. In addition, those in an immunedeficient state, such as diabetes or HIV infection, are further at risk of acquiring COVID-19. Moreover, according to the CDC, people who were financially unstable, socially isolated, and homeless even before the pandemic appear to be at a higher risk and powerless against this pandemic. 3 The impact of quarantine is likely to be more severe in already disadvantaged communities such as transgender people, especially with lockdown protocols, social distancing, economic burden, isolation, and limited access to community and religious activities, which can further deteriorate their mental well-being. 3 Transgender people are those individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were designated at birth. 4 According to the World Professional Association for Transgender (WPATH) Standard of Care, trans people are a diverse group who cross or transcend culturally recognized

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“…There are limited data on the delivery of gender-affirming health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, including maintaining or starting gender-affirming hormone therapy and mental health counseling. However, the extant research suggests that telehealth helped maintain access to care in the United States and Australia, despite clinic-closures resulting from COVID-19 ( Zwickl et al, 2021 ; Lock et al, 2021 ). For example, clinical data from 10 family planning clinics in the U.S. suggested that telehealth maintained individuals’ access to gender-affirming care, while increasing the proportion of new patients seeking gender-affirming care ( Lock et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health and Access to Gender-Affirming Care During COVID-19: Experiences of transmasculine individuals and men assigned female sex at birth

et al. 2021

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Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, global research has suggested that the pandemic has negatively affected lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) populations, including by limiting health care access. There is little research on the impact of COVID-19 among transmasculine persons and men assigned female sex at birth (AFAB) in the United States, who face unique health care challenges outside of the pandemic context. Between May and June of 2020, 20 transmasculine individuals and AFAB men who have sex with men participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked how the pandemic affected their access to health care, overall health, and well-being. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive, thematic approach. Participants reported reduced access to in-person health care, which in some cases meant overdue hormone-related bloodwork and unmet health care needs. Most participants reported that they were able to maintain their testosterone regimen, although some were concerned about future access, citing anxiety about potential shortages. Three participants reported canceled or deferred gender-affirming procedures, which they were uncertain would be rescheduled soon. Participants generally reported that the expansion of telehealth improved access to care, particularly for gender-affirming psychotherapy that was otherwise inaccessible or inconvenient prior to the pandemic. Other salient themes include the pandemic’s impact on health behaviors and daily routines. Although the COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges for maintaining health, it also expanded access to gender-affirming health care, largely through the expansion of telehealth. Our findings provide new insights for supporting the health of transmasculine individuals and AFAB men.

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The impact of the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Australian trans community

Cited by 23 publications

References 40 publications

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

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

Suicide in Trans Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Health and Access to Gender-Affirming Care During COVID-19: Experiences of transmasculine individuals and men assigned female sex at birth

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