What does it mean to feel safe, seen, and respected in research?
For many 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada, that question is still complicated. From systemic gaps in care to being left out of clinical studies altogether, queer and trans communities continue to face barriers in healthcare and in research.
This month, we’re focusing on what inclusive research looks like and why it matters.
Representation in Research
Quick facts:
- LGBTQ2+ people are more likely to report unmet healthcare needs than non-LGBTQ2+ Canadians (Statistics Canada, 2021)
- Trans and non-binary individuals are often excluded from clinical studies (CIHR: LGBTQ+ Health and Research)
- Stigma and discrimination in care settings continue to erode trust and access
(CIHR Institute of Gender and Health, 2020)
In 2022, Health Canada published new guidance recommending researchers collect and report disaggregated data including data on sexual orientation and gender identity to better understand how different populations are impacted by health issues.
When studies exclude or overlook marginalized communities, it impacts everything from vaccine safety data to how public health messages reach people.
Representation in research isn’t a bonus. It’s essential.
Pride in Practice
Including 2SLGBTQIA+ people in research is not just about what we say. It’s about the spaces we create and how people feel in them.
For 2SLGBTQIA+ participants, trust can hinge on small but meaningful things:
- Being called the right name and pronouns
- Knowing why they were eligible (or ineligible) for a study
- Feeling like their questions are welcomed and respected
That matters in any study, but especially in the kind of close-monitoring trials we run at the Challenge Unit. We’re using the CIHR SGBA+ framework to help guide our research to be more inclusive of sex, gender, and intersecting identities.
Building Toward Better at CCfV
At CCfV, we’re thinking about what trust looks like in practice. Not just during Pride Month, but every day we show up to do this work.
This year, members of our team attended the IWK Gender-Affirming Care Conference as part of our ongoing effort to learn and grow as researchers, colleagues, and community members.
We’re also:
- Updating study forms and materials to reflect a range of gender identities and lived experiences
- Providing inclusive language resources to staff
- Encouraging honest feedback from participants to help us improve
Inclusive research doesn’t start with a checklist. It starts with people and the commitment to do better by them.
Happy Pride from all of us at the Canadian Center for Vaccinology. 🏳️🌈