Transgenderism, poverty and the complexities of risk: Preventing HIV/AIDS in our nation’s capital

Amy E. Hardt, MAA, Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, HHP Building, Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, 301-405-9626, ahardt@mail.umd.edu

This presentation is based on two years of participant-observation and qualitative interviews conducted with transgender street-based sex workers, service providers, and other expert informants in Washington DC. By combining the experiences of a number of low-status transgender individuals who engaged in street-based sex work into an aggregated case study, this project explores the complex links between social stigma and social, economic and emotional vulnerability, and enhanced HIV/AIDS risk. The presentation also discusses several trans-specific personal behaviors that may serve as vectors for the virus, and identifies challenges and opportunities specific to the sex work environment that may offer entry points for meaningful HIV/AIDS education and prevention activities.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, participants should be able to

- Describe the links between social stigma, vulnerability and enhanced HIV risk
- Identify at least two vectors of HIV transmission that are of specific concern for members of the transgender community
- Discuss the challenges and opportunities for HIV/AIDS prevention within the sex work environment

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Sex Workers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Issues in LGBT Health: Poster Session II

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA