The HIV Prevention Lab stands in solidarity with the University’s Indigenous community in the renaming of Toronto Metropolitan University. To learn more about the University’s new name and the process in which the name was chosen, we encourage you to read more about the University’s new name.
A key focus of the HIV Prevention Lab’s work is to acknowledge and highlight the health disparities and inequities that exist within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. A recent Canadian research report highlights the unique experiences of Indigenous trans, two-spirit, and non-binary people that negatively impact their health and wellbeing, particularly high rates of violence, harassment, and social exclusion. Importantly, the report also highlights the unique strengths and resiliency of Indigenous trans, two-spirit, and non-binary individuals and communities. As a part of Pride Month, we encourage community members to stand in solidarity with and advocate for the racialized, trans, non-binary, and two-spirit members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who continue to experience disproportionate levels of discrimination, oppression, and marginalization.
Statement on Anti-Racism Action
The HIV Prevention Lab acknowledges the violent and tragic history of racism and colonialism as well as the ongoing oppression of Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour. We also acknowledge that both science and academia are complicit in these systems of racism and oppression. We commit to respond with anti-racist action, including:
- Actively recruiting and supporting Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour in our lab.
- To conduct research examining the role of racism and colonialism in the lives of people who are Black, Indigenous, and/or other people of colour.
- To conduct intersectional analyses that examine how racism and colonialism interact with other oppressive systems such as homophobia and sexism in the lives of gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of colour.
- To mandate training among lab members on anti-racism and anti-colonialism, and to mandate that we discuss how to implement this knowledge to improve our research and clinical practices.
Studies with ongoing recruitment
Sexual Confidence – RCT
Read More
Completed Studies
The Not So Micro Study
Read More
Project THRIVE+
Read More
GQ Arousal Study
Read More
GPS Implementation Science
Read More
Gay, Bi, Queer Men’s Sexual Pain Study
Read More
Positive Sleep Study
Read More
GPS: Gay Poz Sex
Read More
Recent News and Events
HOPE Centre Launch Party
Toronto Metropolitan University's HOPE (Health Outcomes Promotion and Engagement) Centre for Sexual and Gender Minority People conducts community-engaged, interdisciplinary research to understan [...]
Read More...YSMENA Study
This CANFAR funded study is recruiting for MENA identifying young adults from the HOPE Centre. They are administering a survey to MENA young adults in Ontario and BC. Part of their mandate is to ampl [...]
Read More...2SLGBTQ+ Research Mixer
The International Partnership for Queer Youth Resistance (INQYR) is hosting an event for 2SLGBTQIA+ researchers to network and learn more about queer research on June 8th, 2023 from 6pm-8:30pm at [...]
Read More...Trainee Opportunity: 2SLGBTQ+ Health Hub
The 2SLGBTQ+ Health Hub Awards Committee to officially launch this year’s call for Community, Academic, and Professional Trainees (see links below in both English and French).&n [...]
Read More...Mario presenting his Undergraduate Thesis Poster!
HIV Prevention lab's thesis student, Mario Sanchez-Cortez, presented his undergraduate poster on Proximal Sexual Minority Stress and Bisexual Men's Sexual Satisfaction last Friday. Way to go, Mario! [...]
Read More...
-
HOPE Centre Launch Party
Toronto Metropolitan University’s HOPE (Health Outcomes Promotion and Engagement) Centre for Sexual and Gender Minority People conducts community-engaged, interdisciplinary research to understand and promote the health of people who identify as members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Please join us for a Cocktail Reception and Launch Party from 6:30pm to 9:30pm for appetizers, one complementary cocktail, a spiked punch…
Read More... -
YSMENA Study
This CANFAR funded study is recruiting for MENA identifying young adults from the HOPE Centre. They are administering a survey to MENA young adults in Ontario and BC. Part of their mandate is to amplify the voices of harder to reach key populations (gay, bisexual, MSM, and trans) MENA young people to help them plan…
Read More... -
2SLGBTQ+ Research Mixer
The International Partnership for Queer Youth Resistance (INQYR) is hosting an event for 2SLGBTQIA+ researchers to network and learn more about queer research on June 8th, 2023 from 6pm-8:30pm at the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. To find out more about this event, you can visit their website and can RSVP for free…
Read More... -
Trainee Opportunity: 2SLGBTQ+ Health Hub
The 2SLGBTQ+ Health Hub Awards Committee to officially launch this year’s call for Community, Academic, and Professional Trainees (see links below in both English and French). Applications are due Wednesday, May 15th! We encourage applications from interested individuals who are committed to 2SLGBTQ+ health and either working in a community or professional setting or completing their education in a university…
Read More... -
Mario presenting his Undergraduate Thesis Poster!
HIV Prevention lab’s thesis student, Mario Sanchez-Cortez, presented his undergraduate poster on Proximal Sexual Minority Stress and Bisexual Men’s Sexual Satisfaction last Friday. Way to go, Mario!
Read More... -
STI testing rates down 40 per cent during the pandemic in Toronto
Trevor Hart, psychology professor and director of the HIV Prevention Lab at TMU, cites a rise in syphilis over the years, with it going up nearly 300 per cent when comparing data from 2010 to 2019. A lack of testing facilities in a cross-section of communities may be one factor, he says.
Read More... -
Lab Publication
Our most recent publication is now online for viewing! You can read our article, Crystal Methamphetamine Use and Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Among Gay, Bisexual and other Men who have Sex with Men in Canada here: [link]
Read More... -
Lab Get-Together
The HIV Prevention team having a fabulous and fun evening!
Read More... -
I AM Research Lab
The I AM Research lab currently has opportunities and role openings for the following positions: Project Coordinator Graduate Research Assistants Focus Group Facilitators For more information, visit the link below: https://www.iamresearchlab.com/hiring
Read More... -
Request for Applications: Moyo Health & Community Services Championing Spaces Advisory Group
Role Summary:Moyo Health and Community Services (Moyo HCS) is seeking applications of interest for positions on the Advisory Group for our Championing Spaces program. The role of the Advisory Group will be to establish the Championing Spaces sexual health series to queer and trans folks in peel region to increase their capacity (knowledge, skills, decision-making…
Read More... -
Sexual Confidence Research Assistant
TITLE: Part-time Sexual Confidence Research Associate SITE: HIV Prevention Lab, Ryerson University SUPERVISORS: Dr. Trevor Hart, Dr. Allison Kirschbaum, Nicole Elkington JOB SUMMARY Working under the HIV Prevention Lab Director (Dr. Hart), and the Sexual Confidence post-doctoral fellow (Allison Kirschbaum), the part-time Research Associate will assist with the data collection and implementation of the Sexual Confidence RCT, a…
Read More... -
Recognition
The HIV Prevention Lab has received recognition on behalf of Dr. Ammaar Kidwai and Graham Berlin for their achievement of the Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Academic Excellence at the Doctoral and Master’s level, respectively. A remarkable accomplishment!
Read More... -
LGBTQ Meaning: what the different flags represent
June marks Pride Month, where millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual and queer people will gather at parties and parades to celebrate LGBTQ rights and the transformational impact these communities have made. Dr. Trevor A. Hart, of the HIV Prevention Lab and Professor and Director at Toronto Metropolitan University’s of Psychology Department of Psychology, believes the…
Read More... -
Let’s Talk: Addressing mental health in the HIV community
Many chronic conditions are linked to an increased risk of mental health issues, and HIV is no different. People living with the virus are at higher risk of developing mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Conversely, people living with mental health issues may be at higher risk of contracting HIV. “Anxiety, depression, and substance use…
Read More... -
Addressing loneliness among sexual minority men
As loneliness and social isolation become increasingly pervasive, Dr. Shayna Skakoon-Sparling is focussing on how they affect gay, bisexual and queer men (GBQM). A postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Trevor Hart’s HIV Prevention Lab, Dr. Skakoon-Sparling has received a $99,800 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grant to examine the modern context of online and…
Read More... -
New research suggests scaling up HIV testing and prevention among gay and bisexual men
The study compares data on the prevalence of HIV and STI testing in Canada’s largest cities Reports from public health agenices suggest that half of the HIV diagnoses in Canada are among gay and bisexual men. They are also 131 times more likely to contract HIV than other Canadian men. A recent study co-authored by psychology professor and public…
Read More... -
Sexual Health Research Nurse
Department: HIV Prevention Lab, Department of PsychologyPosition supervisor: Dr. Trevor HartContract length: 12 monthsHours of work per week: 36.25Position type: Full-timeRate of pay: $66,000 per annum About Ryerson At the intersection of mind and action, Ryerson is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as…
Read More... -
Researchers find HIV PrEP use less than optimal among men in three large Canadian cities
Researchers analyzed data collected between February 2017 and August 2019 in a study called Engage. The analysis was based on data collected from each participant at one point in those years.
Read More... -
Struggles still remain for 2SLGBTQIA+ people
A piece in thestart.com by Prof. Trevor Hart, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts.
Read More... -
Upcoming PHAC Survey of service providers on the impact of COVID-19 on access to and delivery of STBBI-related services including harm reduction services in Canada│ Enquête à venir de l’ASPC auprès des fournisseurs de services sur l’incidence de la COVID
Le français suit. Dear Colleagues, The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) wants to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to and delivery of STBBI prevention, testing, treatment, and harm reductions services. You are receiving this email because you play an important role in Canada’s response to STBBI. PHAC is launching a COVID-19…
Read More...