Who we are & what we do

EmbraceU is a collaboration between SHQ and WAAC. The project supports transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people in WA, and was made possible with funding from the Western Australian Department of Health.

EmbraceU aims to improve outcomes for transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people in relation to sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs).

The project provides resources for transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people, and professionals working in the sexual health and drug and alcohol sectors that aim to:

• Increase knowledge of safer sex and harm reduction practices
• Encourage health-seeking and health-maintenance behaviours
• Reduce barriers to accessing health and support services
• Improve experiences of engaging with health services for sexual health care

Our journey

EmbraceU was created in close consultation with transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people, key stakeholders and relevant service providers. Since the project commenced in July 2020, there have been over 300 responses to consultation activities undertaken to inform the project.

• Reference and stakeholder groups were formed to guide the project, which included consumer and clinical representatives.
• An initial survey of transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people was conducted to identify current resources used and further opportunities for engagement.
• Surveys were conducted with transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people, as well as clinical and non-clinical health professionals, to determine the sexual health needs of the community.
• Creatives from the transgender, gender diverse and non-binary community were engaged to develop content for EmbraceU resources.
• A further survey was conducted, along with testing via TransFolk of WA Facebook groups, to identify an appropriate project name and branding.
• Testing of the new EmbraceU website was completed with a group of transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people.

Our consultation process identified a clear need for more education and information for both consumers and service providers, with the EmbraceU project being welcomed. Consultation also provided direction on the content of EmbraceU resources and their distribution.

Acknowledgements

Creating EmbraceU has been a true collaboration with many people and organisations contributing. We would like to thank the following in particular for their contribution:

• The transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people who took the time to share their thoughts and experiences via our consultation activities and took part in a photo shoot to provide images for the website.
• Stevie Lane (@thequeeradvocate), a digital creator who created video content for the website and shared information about the project through their networks.
• Hanna and Sam for their involvement in the video consult.
• Tegan Stoney (@stoneysdraws) who created beautiful illustrations for the project.
• Marziya Mohammedali (@kikeidotnet) who took the wonderful photographs used on the website.
• Our steering committee stakeholders from TransFolk of WA, Freedom Centre, Mental Health Commission of WA, WAAC and the Western Australian Department of Health for their ongoing support and valuable input.
• The YEP Project, RUAH, HepatitisWA and SECCA, who provided initial input to the project.
• ACON Transhub, who provided ideas for consumer engagement and offered helpful resources.
• Royal Perth Hospital and WA Primary Health Alliance for helping to distribute surveys.
• Studio KFord for developing a logo for EmbraceU.
• The team at Humaan for creating the EmbraceU website.

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