Diverse multi-generational women having fun together

What priorities for health and healthcare access do women, trans, and nonbinary people who are lesbian, bi+*, or queer (or resonate* with these experiences) in Canada have? What actions can be taken across various sectors to address these priorities?

This research project aims to learn more about the health and healthcare access concerns for women, trans, and nonbinary people who are lesbian, bi+, or queer (or resonate with these experiences) in Canada, and to identify priorities for intersectoral action.  

By engaging in a process of community visioning through advisory committees and focus groups, this project will result in the creation of a community action plan and a pilot national survey created by, with, and for women, trans, and nonbinary people who are lesbian, bi+, or queer (or resonate with these experiences) in Canada. 

This research project is led by Dr. Brittany Jakubiec and Dr. Celeste Pang. Dr. J. Garrett-Walker is a Co-Investigator. The project team will be working with an Academic Advisory Committee, a Community of Practice, and a Community Advisory Committee through to Spring 2023. The project is funded by a Public Health Agency of Canada Intersectoral Action Fund grant. This project has received ethics approval from CREO (#256).

*What do we mean by bi+? The term “bi+” is an umbrella term used some individuals who may identify as “bi”, “bisexual” and/or “bi+”, and often includes those who are attracted romantically and/or sexually to more than one gender, otherwise called “non-monosexual”, “plurisexual”, or “middle” identities. This includes labels like pansexual, queer, omnisexual, sexually fluid, and more, and even folks who decide not to take a label. The term is an effort to unite plurisexual identities. 

*What do we mean by “resonate”? That you personally have lived experiences of moving through the world as a lesbian, bi+, or queer person.

Two women relaxing together

Get Involved!

Focus Groups

We are seeking focus group participants! We are holding 6–10 virtual focus groups this Fall, and are seeking women, trans, and nonbinary people who are LBQ to participate. Each participant will receive a $50 gift card honorarium in recognition of their time. 

We invite participants who: 

  • Are women, trans, and nonbinary people who are lesbian, bi+, or queer (or resonate with these experiences)
  • Are at least 16 years old
  • Live in anywhere in Canada 
  • Can participate in ASL, English, French, or LSQ
  • Are capable of providing consent to participate
  • Have a computer and reliable access to the Internet, or ability to call in via telephone using a toll-free number

Participants will be asked to: 

  • Complete a Recruitment Form to indicate interest in participation.  
  • Participate in a 30-minute Introductory Meeting with a member of the research team
  • Participate in a 2-hour virtual Focus Group that will be held using the videoconferencing platform Zoom 

One to two focus groups will be held completely in French. One English focus group will be hosted with ASL interpretation, and one French focus group will be hosted with LSQ interpretation. We are seeking up to 60 participants. If more than 60 eligible people express interest, we will select participants to best ensure diversity of geographical location, ethno-racial background, age, LBQ identification, etc. 

To express interest in participating in a focus group, please email research-LBQhealth@egale.ca.

Focus group findings will inform the development of a pilot survey. All consenting focus group participants will be invited to participate in providing feedback on the pilot survey at a later date. For more information, you can contact the study team.

Community Advisory Committee

We are currently recruiting Community Advisory Committee members. We are seeking 10 women, trans, and nonbinary people who are lesbian, bi+, or queer from across Canada.  

Community Advisory Committee members will share insights on key priorities for actions across sectors on the health and healthcare access for women, trans, and nonbinary people who are LBQ in Canada. They will provide critical input on aspects of study design, assist with focus group recruitment, and support the testing of the pilot survey.

Engagement will involve participating in 10 one-hour virtual meetings held between August 2022–April 2023, assisting with study recruitment (approx. 10 hours), and providing input on project documents at key junctures (approx. 15 hours). The total time commitment is approximately 35 hours. There is a $600 honorarium provided. 

We are no longer recruiting for this committee. Thank you for your interest. 

If more than 10 eligible people express interest, we will select to best ensure diversity, including in geographical location, ethno-racial background, age, and LBQ identification. For more information, you can contact the study team at research-LBQhealth@egale.ca.

Project supported by Public Health Agency of Canada

Public Health Agency of Canada (logo)

For further questions, please feel free to email research@egale.ca.