Despite Canada’s universal healthcare system, there exist numerous barriers that prevent
LGBTQ2S+ populations from accessing healthcare services such as sexual health.
Through pulling from community-based research principles and utilizing a critical social
science framework, this research explores the availability and accessibility of sexual
health services for LGBTQ2S+ individuals living in a rural Ontario community. After
extensive consultations with multiple key informants, two focus groups were conducted
with individuals from a community-based collaborative where members had the dual role
of being service providers and community members. It is important to note that gaining
access to the collaborative was made possible due to the resources and networks provided
by the AIDS Network, a community charitable organization. Using a thematic analysis of
the data, three major themes surfaced: the negative effects of heteronormativity,
queerphobia, and transphobia within healthcare settings; barriers to accessing sexual
healthcare; and community responses and strategies. These findings are reflected in the
literature concerning issues of healthcare access for LGBTQ2S+ populations, but these
research findings are unique given they are specific to both sexual health and rural
communities. Implications for social work education, practice, and research include
tapping into the potential of collaboratives; creating LGBTQ2S+-specific policies;
making space for community voices, especially within academia; and recommendations
for healthcare providers. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/24029 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Taha, Rasha |
| Contributors | Greene, Saara, Social Work |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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