Transgender HIV activism in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Bibliographic Data

ID8001894
AuthorsYana Kirey-Sitnikova (0000-0002-9603-5114, Independent researcher, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume29
Issue3
Pages405-426
Publication date2024-06-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSexualities (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1363-4607 • E-ISSN: 1461-7382
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/13634607241260205
OpenAlexW4399543159
LanguageEN
References cited22

Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) is a region with the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world. Trans people are designated by UNAIDS as one of the key population groups susceptible to HIV. However, in 8 out of 12 EECA countries, they are not recognized as a key group by the state. This article explores HIV-related trans activism in EECA based on interviews with 13 activists. The participants’ goal was the construction of “trans” as a legible category with specific needs and its recognition by the state as a key population group susceptible to HIV distinct from other key groups, especially men having sex with men (MSM). Such recognition was thought to improve accessibility and acceptability of HIV services for trans people, especially trans women. In addition, HIV issues were strategically used to promote gender-affirming healthcare and legal gender recognition. Quantitative research (population size and HIV prevalence estimations) was extensively used to underpin advocacy. While the activists recognized the limitations of these quantification projects, they did not question “trans” as a discoverable and quantifiable category

Biology · Central asia · Geography · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Key (lock · Men who have sex with men · Political science · Population · Sociology · State (computer science · Transgender · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · Demography · Gender Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Sex work and related issues · Virology

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