Empowered Trans Health
With a health program focused on research, public health, and advocacy, Global Action for Trans Equality helps ensure the needs of the trans and gender diverse community are met
By Erika Castellanos
As a global trans-led advocacy organization dedicated to advancing gender equality for all, Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE) is acutely aware of the pervasive stigma and discrimination that trans and gender diverse people face in all areas of their lives.’
This is particularly harmful when discrimination occurs within healthcare systems, a distressing reality that is unfortunately widespread across the globe. This discrimination not only impedes access to HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services but also contributes to a social environment in which trans people, particularly trans women of color, experience heightened vulnerability to HIV infection. The intersectionality of racism, transphobia, and sexism plays a significant role in these dynamics, requiring our response to be multifaceted and culturally competent.
We recognize that trans people are at a higher risk of acquiring HIV due to a multitude of systemic factors, including state-sponsored discrimination, disparities in healthcare access and services, and lack of targeted health interventions for the trans community. Our commitment to addressing these issues and improving the health outcomes of the trans and gender diverse community has led us to adopt various initiatives addressing the challenges faced by trans communities.
One of our primary objectives is to address the lack of data specific to trans communities by advocating for trans-inclusive HIV research and public health policies. Segmenting data by gender identity and sex will provide much-needed insights that will help to identify and address the unique requirements of trans people in HIV research and response strategies.
Moreover, GATE works to empower trans communities through capacity-building initiatives to foster trans leadership in the HIV response. This includes supporting the development of trans-led HIV prevention and treatment programs, providing training to healthcare providers on trans-specific health needs, and creating educational materials that are accessible and relevant to trans individuals. By increasing the knowledge and competencies of both healthcare providers and the trans community, we aim to bridge the gap in access to HIV-related services.
We believe promoting global solidarity and knowledge sharing among trans and gender diverse activists and organizations is crucial. GATE facilitates international networks that enable the exchange of best practices and lessons learned in addressing the HIV epidemic in transgender communities. Through this collaborative approach, we can improve our collective ability to advocate for effective and trans-inclusive public health interventions and policies.
Through our combined efforts, we aim not only to lessen the impact of HIV/AIDS on trans communities but also to uphold the dignity, rights, and health of trans individuals around the world.
As we continue to push the boundaries of inclusivity in HIV/AIDS responses, the ultimate goal remains crystal clear: to create a world where every individual, regardless of their gender identity, has access to the care, support, and resources needed to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
Erika Castellanos is Executive Director of Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE).
Click Here to read more from the July 2024 issue of amfAR INNOVATIONS.
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