Chlamydia remains the highest reported bacterial STI in Canada, disproportionately impacting women and femmes. Yet, much STI research has traditionally focused on cis men and masc-presenting people. In response to this burden and gap in understanding, the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC), in collaboration with researchers from multiple Canadian universities, created the We Deserve Chlamydia Care study. Taking a disability justice and critical feminist approach, this work focused on the chlamydia testing and management needs of disabled, Indigenous, Black, and people of colour (IBPOC), Two-Spirit, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer (2S/LBTQ+) women and gender-diverse communities.
Between September 2024 and December 2025, 23 participants from diverse backgrounds were recruited across Ontario to share their experiences of seeking care through community-based research interviews. Their stories revealed the barriers they faced in accessing care and the strategies they used to receive care that suited their needs. A particular subtheme that emerged was the importance of self-advocacy in clinical sexual health spaces.
This report highlights participants’ experiences and recommendations for community members in navigating and reclaiming autonomy in these settings.
url="https://assets.nationbuilder.com/cbrc/pages/8822/attachments/original/1780285841/ReclaimingAutonomy-EN-v4.pdf?1780285841
