title: The process of developing a community-based research agenda with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth in the Northwest Territories, Canada.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Youth in Canada's Northwest Territories (NWT) experience sexual and mental health disparities. Higher rates of sexual and mental health concerns among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth in comparison with heterosexual and cisgender peers have been associated with stigma and discrimination. Although LGBTQ youth in the NWT are situated at the nexus of Northern and LGBTQ health disparities, there is little known about their health, well-being and experiences of stigma. This short communication discusses the process of developing a LGBTQ youth community-based research programme in the NWT.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed an interdisciplinary research team of LGBTQ and allied young adults, including indigenous and non-indigenous researchers, community organisers and service providers in the NWT. We conducted meetings in Yellowknife with LGBTQ youth (n=12) and key stakeholders (n=15), including faculty, students, community groups and health and social service providers. Both meetings included LGBTQ and allied participants who were LGBTQ, indigenous, youth and persons at the intersection of these identities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LGBTQ youth participants discussed community norms that devalued same sex identities and stigma surrounding LGBTQ-specific services and agencies. Stigma among LGBT youth was exacerbated for youth in secondary schools, gender non-conforming and transgender youth and young gay men. In the stakeholder meeting, service providers discussed the importance of integrating LGBTQ issues in youth programmes, and LGBTQ community groups expressed the need for flexibility in service delivery to LGBTQ youth. Stakeholders identified the need to better understand the needs of indigenous LGBTQ youth in the NWT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Community-based LGBTQ groups, researchers and health and social service providers are interested in addressing LGBTQ youth issues in the NWT. The emergence of LGBTQ community building, support groups and activism in Northern Canada suggests that this is an opportune time to explore LGBTQ youth health.
authors: Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; carmen.logie@utoronto.ca.
authors: Carmen H
authors: CH
authors: Logie
authors: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Fostering Open eXpression Among Youth (FOXY), Yellowknife, NWT, Canada.
authors: Candice
authors: C
authors: Lys
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015873:Northwest Territories; D016730:Program Development; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012107:Research Design; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Arctic; bisexual; gay; lesbian; transgender; youth