New Study, Unmet Sexual Health Needs Of Transgender And Non-binary People

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JAKARTA - More than half of transgender and non-binary people feel they are not fully able to control their sex life. This is revealed by a recent study conducted by a leading sexual health and HIV charity in the UK.

Of the 200 transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people surveyed by the Terrence Higgins Trust, 52 percent said they were struggling with their sex lives, with more than 70 percent attributing this to negative feelings, low moods and depression. .

Forty-five percent had never been tested for HIV, although nearly half reported having had unprotected sex in the previous year. Many feel uncomfortable attending sexual health clinics because of mistakes, prejudices and 'gray' information about their bodies.

This means that the sexual health needs of transgender people and non-binaries are not being met, the report found. Nearly all respondents identified a need for targeted sexual health information including sexual navigation, consent, and empowerment.

"Whenever I try to find sexual health information for myself, the resources I find online are never as detailed and do not include bodies like mine," said Rory, a transgender man who spoke to the charity.

“I've often been forced to read women's health articles online, just to get some sort of understanding of how my body works. But even so, there are still many guesses. I don't have a female body anymore. "

The Terrence Higgins Trust stepped in to fill the gap in these unmet services by publishing new trans-specific sexual health information. The campaign is led by trans, non-binary and gender diverse people and celebrates their unique experiences.

"I am proud to be involved in this important project to ensure the sexual health needs of trans and non-binary people are well met," said medical doctor Dr Kate Nambiar who worked with Dr Michael Brady, medical director at the Terrence Higgins Trust.