title: Lessons learned in developing a research partnership with the Transgender community.
abstract: The challenge facing the authors was to develop a relationship with members of the Transgender community in a large urban city in order to develop research that would benefit this group. The situation is presented from the differing perspectives of the three women involved (one Transgender woman and two biological women); they provide their accounts of a meeting with key members of the Transgender community where the challenge became apparent. During the meeting, the issue of representation arose resulting in a discussion of whether the research agenda should be focused on a specific subgroup under the Transgender umbrella or be open to all members of this diverse and underserved group. Reflections on what was learned about the diversity of individuals under the Transgender umbrella and the lessons that helped them respond to the challenge are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Center for AIDS Research, Education, & Services, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120th Street, Building N, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA. kepaxton@cdrewu.edu
authors.forename: Keisha Carr
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Paxton
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guentzel
authors.forename: Kellii
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trombacco
mesh_terms: D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development; D013333:Student Health Services; D014189:Transsexualism; D014481:United States