Trans Health in Rural NSW
What is this study?
This study is PhD project on the multifaceted impact of living in a rural community on transgender and gender diverse individual’s health and wellbeing. It is a qualitative research study.
What does this mean?
It means this study is conducted by interviewing a set number of participants for approximately one hour. The interview has set questions however it isn’t formal and often will go on tangents depending on what the participant is talking about.
Our Objectives and Aim
Project Aim: To better understand the multifaceted impacts of living in a rural community on transgender and gender diverse individuals’ health and wellbeing
Objectives:
To gain an in depth understanding of the unique barriers transgender and gender diverse individuals face regarding accessing healthcare services in rural NSW.
To understand if living in a rural location has affected the ability of trans individuals to interact with other members of the transgender, gender diverse and LGBT+ communities.
To explore whether transgender and gender diverse individuals face increased discrimination in rural communities
To develop an understanding of what the advantage of rural living is for transgender and gender diverse individuals.
Who are we recruiting?
We are recruiting from three different cohorts:
Transgender (binary or non-binary) and/or gender diverse people aged 16+ living in rural and regional (MMM zone 2 and above) NSW
Professionals working with transgender and gender diverse communities in rural NSW, e.g., doctors, allied health professionals, activists, and public health coordinators.
Parents or guardians who have supported their child through their gender affirmation journey whilst living in rural NSW.
Am I considered rural?
We are using NSW Health’s “Health Workforce Locator” to decide if participants are considered rural. Please click the below link and type in your address. The model we are using is the 2019 Modified Monash Model (please select this option under your address). If you are classified as 2 or above (MMM2-MMM7) you are eligible for this study!
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/health-workforce-locator/app
Get in touch!
Want to participate in our study or stay updated regarding research outputs and findings? Click the link below!
FAQs
Is the interview face to face or online?
We know living in a rural area can make participation difficult. As a research team our goal would be to interview everyone via Microsoft Teams or Zoom Call with the participant and interviewers camera on. However, we can conduct the interview via a phone call.
Who is interviewing me?
The interviewer is Dr Ava Del Tufo, a ciswoman, PhD candidate and Junior Doctor. This research study is forming the majority of her PhD Thesis. For more information about Ava please click on Team at the top of the page.
Will I be reimbursed for my time?
Yes! All participants will be given a $100 Visa/Mastercard Voucher as a thank you for your time.
What if I change my mind and don’t want to participate anymore?
You can always change your mind! However, once the data (your interview responses) are de-identified we can no longer remove your responses from the data pool. This means you need to let us know as soon as possible if you want to withdraw and in some cases we will be unable to remove your answers from the study.
What oversight and community input was involved in this study development?
Members of the supervisory team and the advisory committee bring lived experience and oversight from community members to this research project.
Our supporters
Our Expertise
Please see below different research publications our team has been a part of:
Del Tufo, A., Foster, R., Haire, B., Newman, C. E., Smith, A. K. J., Crowley, M., Burn, D., & McNulty, A. (2023). Understanding the health care needs of transgender and gender diverse people engaging with rural Australian sexual health centres: a qualitative interview study. Sexual health, 20(4), 339–346. https://doi.org/10.1071/SH22159
Brady, B., Rosenberg, S., Newman, C.E. et al. Gender is dynamic for all people. Discov Psychol 2, 41 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-022-00054-2
McCormack, H., Dickson, M., Harrington, T., Garay, M., Whybrow, R., Mooney-Somers, J., … Haire, B. (2024). Sexual healthcare to meet the needs of sexuality and gender diverse aboriginal young people: imagined possibilities. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2024.2394649
Simpson, P.L., Callander, D., Haire, B., Pony, M., Rosenberg, S., Duck-Chong, L., Holt, M., Cook, T. (2024) Factors Associated with Transgender and Gender Diverse People's Experience of Sexual Coercion, and Help-Seeking and Wellbeing Among Victims/Survivors: Results of the First Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey. LGBT Health. Online ahead of print 1 February. http://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2023.0146
Gibson, A. F., Drysdale, K., Botfield, J., Mooney-Somers, J., Cook, T., & Newman, C. E. (2021). Navigating trans visibilities, trauma and trust in a new cervical screening clinic. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 24(10), 1366–1379. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2021.1952307
Newman, C. E., Prankumar, S. K., Cover, R., Rasmussen, M. L., Marshall, D., & Aggleton, P. (2020). Inclusive health care for LGBTQ+ youth: support, belonging, and inclusivity labour. Critical Public Health, 31(4), 441–450. https://doi.org/10.1080/09581596.2020.1725443
Haire, B. G., Brook, E., Stoddart, R., & Simpson, P. (2021) Trans and gender diverse people’s experiences of healthcare access in Australia: A qualitative study in people with complex needs. PLOS ONE, 16(1), e0245889. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0245889
Lee, A., Simpson, P., & Haire, B. (2019). The binding practices of transgender and gender-diverse adults in Sydney, Australia. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 21(9), 969-984. doi:10.1080/13691058.2018.1529335
Newman, C. E., Smith, A. K. J., Harvey, S., & Duck-Chong, E. (2023). Gender diversity and social change: transgressions, translations, transformations. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 25(12), 1758–1761. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2023.2277606
Newman, C.E., Smith, A.K.J, Duck-Chong, E., Vivienne, S., Davies, C., Robinson, K.H., Aggleton, P. (May 2024) Social Perspectives on Trans Health. Routledge: London and NY. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781032722443
Cover, R. and Newman, C.E. (2023) Gender and sexuality identities in social media and everyday life: The expansion and redefinition of non-binary gender and bisexuality. In Eds Aggleton, P., Cover, R., Logie, C.H., Newman, C.E., Parker, R. Routledge Handbook of Sexuality, Gender, Health and Rights. Pp 111-119. Routledge. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003278405