Lancet HIV recognises Transgender Day of Visibility and the importance of gender-affirming hormones in HIV care
3 April 2025. Related: Journal scan, Early access, Special reports, Treatment access.
Simon Collins, HIV i-Base
The April 2025 edition of Lancet HIV included an editorial on the importance of recognising the International Transgender Day of Visibility on 31 March each year and why this is now more important than ever. [1, 2]
This day recognises and celebrates the lives of transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people worldwide.
It also recognises that trans people are often one of the most underserved groups in terms of access to appropriate healthcare, including HIV care, despite often being a key population at risk from HIV.
This year is particularly important given the recent attempts by the new US administration to remove basic rights, including identity awareness and recognition. This includes removing references to transgender people on government websites, restricting the right to movement and cancelling research into transgender care. [3]
This issue of Lancet HIV also includes results from a large study reviewing access to gender-affirming hormones and an interview with the lead author Sari Reisner that includes a conceptual framework to better understand the drivers of the HIV epidemic among trans populations. [4, 5]
Plus an editorial comment on why access to gender-affirming hormones is an essential part of HIV care. [6]
References
- Transgender Day of Visibility more crucial than ever. Lancet HIV.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhiv/article/PIIS2352-3018(25)00077-3/fulltext - International Transgender Day of Visibility
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Transgender_Day_of_Visibility - Trump bans travel for US government scientists, presentations restricted, language bans, documents disappearing. HTB (23 January 2025).
i-base.info/htb/50084 - The Lancet HIV in conversation with Sari Reisner.
https://www.thelancet.com/multimedia/podcasts/in-conversation-with/lanhiv -
Reisner SL et al. HIV seropositivity and viral non-suppression in transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse people in primary care receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy in the USA between 2013 and 2019 (LEGACY): an observational, longitudinal, cohort study. Lancet HIV. 2025. (27 March 2025).
- Blumenthal J and Hastie E. Gender-affirming hormone therapy is a crucial component of HIV care. Lancet HIV.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhiv/article/PIIS2352-3018(25)00067-0/fulltext