In a recent research article titled “‘I am denied comfort and safety’: Barriers to participation in HIV prevention research and services among sexual and gender minorities of colour,” Fordham GSS Assistant Professor Sameena Azhar, Ph.D., explored the critical issues facing Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM) individuals of color in accessing HIV prevention research and services.
The study analyzed survey responses from 216 sexually active men who have sex with men, transgender people, and gender-nonconforming individuals of color and the unique challenges and barriers these communities face. Utilizing Meyer’s Minority Stress Theory, the research highlights the heightened vulnerability of SGM individuals to mental health disorders due to experiences of stigmatization and discrimination.
Key themes identified in the research include concerns about familial rejection, limited access to timely sexual health education, financial challenges related to study participation and access to antiretroviral medications, intersectional issues of race and stigma, and lived experiences of stigma, discrimination, and internalized homophobia among Black respondents.
“Healthcare providers and researchers can utilise this information to better tailor HIV prevention interventions to the specific health needs of SGM of colour,” the abstract reads.
