Participants Needed: Aging With Affirmation: A Study to Examine the Social Service Experiences and Needs of Older Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults in Canada

In this study, our research team hopes to better understand how older transgender (trans) and gender diverse (TGD) experience social services in Canada, and what could be done to strengthen social services intended for their use. We use the term "social services" broadly to mean any formal support that addresses psychological and social well-being (including counselling/psychotherapy), as well as practical needs related to housing, food, and income security, and other social issues.

Our work is led by a trans researcher, Hannah Kia, who is an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Social Work, in partnership with Egale Canada*, a national 2SLGBTQI+ advocacy organization.

In this project, we aim to hear from older TGD adults, as well as community-based advocates and activists, and policymakers and service providers located in Canada. Though we are open to a range of perspectives, we are particularly interested in reaching folks who are racialized and/or new to Canada, those living with (dis)abilities, Two-Spirit and Indigenous gender diverse people, folks of varying economic backgrounds, and those with diverse experiences of sexual and romantic attraction, among others. All who are invited for and complete an interview will be compensated with $50 in cash, or a gift card of equal value.

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:

• Identify as a trans, Two-Spirit, genderqueer, and/or gender diverse (TGD) older adult, meaning an adult who is 50 years of age or older;
• Have had any experience, over the last 12 months, seeking or receiving social services, broadly defined to include any psychological and/or social support delivered at a social service agency, including counselling/psychotherapy;
• Live in Canada; and
• Are willing and able to take part in a 1.5-2 hour English language virtual focus group (on Zoom or by phone) to describe your experiences with services meant to support your psychological and social well-being.

OR if you:

• Identify as a community-based advocate or activist, policymaker, or social service provider with interest and/or experience developing or delivering services to support the psychological and social well-being of older TGD adults;
• Are at least 19 years of age or older
• Live in Canada;
• Are willing and able to take part in a 1.5-2 hour English language virtual focus group (on Zoom) to describe your perspective on services needed to support the well-being of older TGD adults.

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​In the event that you are selected for the study and there are not enough participants to join you in a focus group, you may be invited to complete an individual interview, which will be identical in scope to the focus group.

Interested in learning more about participating in the study? Click here for more information!

For more information, you may contact the study’s principal investigator, Hannah Kia:

Hannah Kia

Assistant Professor

School of Social Work, The University of British Columbia

2080 West Mall Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2

Tel: (604) 822-6073

E-mail: hannah.kia@ubc.ca

*About Egale Canada: Egale is Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQI people and issues. We improve and save lives through research, education, awareness, and by advocating for human rights and equality in Canada and around the world. Our work helps create societies and systems that reflect the universal truth that all persons are equal and none is other. Find out more at egale.ca.

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