The Ontario HIV Treatment Network is proud to share this brief and insightful piece written by our own Asya Gunduz for CATIE‘s blog. In under 1000 words, “Providing STBBI services to trans people: Beyond kindness, what truly matters?” describes the challenges trans and non-binary people face accessing sexual health services in Canada, illustrates them with stories of lived experience, and proposes clear, actionable ways frontline and institutional workers can improve their approach. It’s essential reading for anyone involved in providing care to 2STNB individuals, especially those who are also newcomers or people of color.
Asya Gunduz is the OHTN’s Lead of Trans, Gender and Diverse People HIV Prevention and Health Promotion. She’s also a committed activist and community-builder whose work extends far beyond our walls:
- She founded LubunTO, a grassroots queer newcomers organization offering support and systems navigation services for the settlement needs of refugees, international students and immigrants from Turkey, Kurdistan and other West Asian geographies living in Toronto. Offerings include Pride programming, online drop-ins, film screenings, social events and knowledge building workshops.
- Asya is also co-chair of TWIRI, Canada’s first community research initiative solely dedicated to HIV/STBBI health research for trans and gender diverse folks. There she’s established and grown an advisory board of nearly twenty trans community members to guide the organization’s research. The OHTN is funding TWIRI for a research project on trans people’s access to HIV/STBBI services in Ontario.
As part of her OHTN portfolio, Asya is completing an environmental scan of ASOs, CHCs, and other community partners who work in the intersections between TGD health and HIV prevention. Her efforts will identify gaps in access and lay the groundwork for more barrier-free, compassionate, gender-affirming sexual health care for trans and non-binary people in this province.
If you’re interested in learning more about Asya’s work, her contact information can be found in the staff directory.