TRÉS CHER, TAKE CHARGE!

Tres Cher, Take Charge was produced by the T’Cher NOLA team at CrescentCare, in partnership with the T’Cher community advisory board made up of stakeholders and leaders from the New Orleans transgender community. T’Cher stands for “Trans Community Health Education and Research.” The name of our team, which is made up of researchers, social workers, and outreach specialists, plays on the French/Cajun word “Cher” meaning ‘dear’ or ‘darling’ and the notion of the bond of trust we have formed with the individuals who have kindly shared their stories with us, whose words and ideas provide the tapestry that holds this guide together.

Tres Cher, Take Charge aims to provide insight and information to transgender women of all ages so that they can better advocate for their sexual health and well-being. Drawing on extensive qualitative and survey research with transgender women and with medical and behavioral health care providers who work for transgender women in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area, the guide aims to reflect the multi-faceted health challenges and needs faced by transgender women in our local region. It is meant to be a resource for transgender women as well as a resource for their families, friends, and partners.

The research that influenced the production of this guide, the findings of which are presented in the final section, was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of National HIV Behavioral Surveillance and by the Louisiana Office of Public Health STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program. The creation of the guide itself—the web design and photography—was made possible by a grant from the Louisiana Office of Public Health through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.