AEGiS-15IAC: HIV/AIDS, transgenders, and their male identified sex partners.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

HIV/AIDS, transgenders, and their male identified sex partners.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10093)

Blaza J
Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team, Los Angeles, California, United States

ISSUES: HIV/AIDS prevention work contributed to society's recognition of Transgender people and their needs which include basic human rights such as access to quality medical care, housing, education, and employment training/opportunities. Lack of these basic human rights contributes to a Transgender individual's propensity for HIV infection or delayed AIDS intervention services. Underneath the gloss of media TG persons feel they do not have the same opportunities as the rest of society. These feelings are intensified by a perpetuation of discrimination, stigma, and marginalization. In addition, information regarding the male identified sex partners of male-to-female Transgenders is almost non-existent.

DESCRIPTION: Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team collaborates with other local organizations 1) to increase society's understanding of Transgenders particularly the importance of cultural sensitivity and language appropriateness, 2) to share knowledge of effective interventions for the population and methods of delivering services in a creative and innovative manner, 3) to teach what other communities can do to assist this population, and 4) inform Transgender individuals how they can assist their own community.

LESSONS LEARNED: Providing culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate HIV/AIDS services to Transgenders as well as assisting them in their life issues allowed them to contribute to their community in general, find self-pride, educate and support their peers while reducing their risk for HIV infection or access early AIDS intervention. Providing similar services to the male partners of Transgenders added to the success of HIV/AIDS work for this population.

RECOMMENDATIONS: The HIV/AIDS community must learn to be more inclusive by affirming this population as a part of a much larger society in order for Transgender persons to be effective contributors in creating a healthy ever changing community.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Sexual Partners, Sexual Behavior, HIV Infections, Transsexualism, Organizations, Human Rights, Health Services Needs and Demand, Female, Humans, Male, organization & administration, education

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E10093