First national survey of trans and gender diverse sexual health launched in Australia

Virtually nothing is known about the sexual lives of trans and gender diverse people living in Australia.

Although international research suggests that trans and gender diverse people have sexual lives and experiences that are unique from their cisgender peers, very little research has looked at this in detail in Australia or overseas.

The Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey is the first national survey to address topics related to sex and romance among this country’s diverse trans and gender diverse communities. It is a collaborative effort with research and community advocates from across Australia, coordinated centrally by the Kirby Institute.

"This trans-led research is the first of its kind in Australia and we need as many people from our community as possible to do the survey and to encourage their trans and gender diverse mates to do it too," said Teddy Cook from the Peer Advocacy Network for the Sexual Health of Trans Masculinities (‘PASH.tm’) and one of the study’s chief investigators.

The online survey will cover a diverse range of topics including online and offline dating, sexual health care, pleasure and satisfaction, marriage, and more.

As another of the study’s chief investigators, Liz Duck-Chong, explained: "sexual health isn’t just about testing, it has to be about talking. We have designed this survey to take a big-picture look at the experiences and desires of people who are often assumed to not have them at all."

The survey is now live at www.tgdsexualhealth.com.au.