"There is no standard vulva": Sanitized vs. contextualized instruction of hands-on medical skills.

Medical education overlooks bodily variation by presenting a de-contextualized patient. This standardization perpetuates inequality and stigma. Initially a feminist project in the US, Gynecological Teaching Associates (GTAs), or specially trained educators who teach while receiving vaginal/pelvic and breast/chest examinations, are understudied despite how common they are in MD programs. GTAs have been subject to standardization when incorporated into medical school training, but opportunities to challenge the status quo remain. I conducted interviews with 25 GTAs across the United States. Thematic, iterative coding reveals two overlapping genres of GTA engagement. Through sanitized instruction, GTAs stick to 1.) professionally distanced, 2.) (supposedly) politically neutral, and 3.) student-protective methods. Alternatively, through contextualized instruction, GTAs 1.) are open to personal disclosure, 2.) present a wide range of normal and bring in sticky topics, and 3.) try to prepare students for a messy reality. Contextualizing instructors describe tactics for centering physiological and social diversity, such as framing non-normative factors (identity, sexual practices, underrepresented bodies, etc.) as clinically relevant.

Trans and Gender Diverse People's Experience Wearing Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from Data Across 4 States in the USA.

Introduction: Social isolation and reduced access to public life in response to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) challenges health and well-being for many. Marginalized communities, including transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people, have been disproportionally impacted. Experiences of TGD people should be centered in pandemic-related research to better inform policy. Methods: A diverse sample of TGD people (N = 158) were recruited from Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, and Tennessee to participate in the Trans Resilience and Health Study. Participants ranged from 19 to 70 years old (M = 33.06; SD = 12.88) with 27.2% identifying as trans men/men, 26% identifying as trans women/women, and remaining identifying with terms like genderqueer and nonbinary. Thirty percent identified as people of color. Participants completed a monthly COVID-19-related questionnaire April 2020-March 2021 including open-ended questions to learn what contributed to resilience during this time. Thematic analyses of responses enabled identification of salient themes. Results: Analyses revealed pandemic-related changes in social experiences of marginalization and mask-wearing. Twenty-six participants mentioned face masks as contributing to resilience while also elaborating the influence of masks on experiences of misgendering. Participants identifying as trans women reported decreased misgendering while trans men and nonbinary participants reported increased misgendering. Conclusions and Policy Implications: Mask-wearing helps reduce transmission of COVID-19. For some trans women, masks also reduce the threat of misgendering and possibly other forms of enacted stigma. However, increased risk for misgendering, as noted by trans men in our study, should be considered and increased supports should be provided.