FAQ

  • How do I know if I’m eligible to participate?

    You might be eligible to participate if you’re:

    Between the ages of 16 and 29

    Living anywhere in the US including US territories

    Identify as a trans woman or trans femme (e.g. nonbinary, genderfluid, genderqueer, demigirl, Two Spirit, etc.)

    Sexually active

    Have access to a smartphone or home computer

    Able to speak and read English

    HIV-negative or recently diagnosed with HIV

  • How do I know this is a real study?

    This study is run by the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (LCH), and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and is paid for by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and funds research studies nationwide to improve health and save lives.

    This study is approved by a research oversight group known as an Institutional Review Board to protect research volunteers (approval #2021-4086). You may contact the Lurie Children’s Office of Research Integrity and Compliance at irb@luriechildrens.org if you have any questions.

  • Who developed the content in LifeSkills Mobile?

    The LifeSkills Mobile content was developed by trans women in Chicago. The original study was run by trans women and the materials were also developed by trans women.

  • What is the focus of LifeSkills Mobile?

    The Lifeskills Mobile App teaches life skills that many trans folks may not have access to. LifeSkills focuses on topics like trans pride, how to be assertive when talking to others, boundaries in healthy relationships, and safer sex practices.

  • I know you say this study is for trans femme folks, but what if I don’t look femme?

    That is totally okay! You don’t have to look femme to be eligible for this study. In fact, you don’t have to look femme to be trans femme. If you are femme and/or feel femme – you are femme to us.

  • I’m non-binary, genderqueer, or gender fluid. I’m not sure that this study is for me.

    This study is designed for trans femme people (this includes trans women, non-binary, two spirit, genderqueer, gender fluid, demigirl, etc.). We invite anyone who is interested to complete our screener.

    Please note: if you are not eligible it may be for reasons outside of gender.

  • What if no one knows I’m trans femme or a trans woman?

    Again, that is totally okay. Everyone’s gender journey is different. Some of us can’t share who we are with people because maybe it isn’t safe or maybe we just aren’t ready yet. You don’t have to be “out” to be eligible for this study.

  • Okay, but I don’t want to take hormones. Can I still be eligible?

    Totally. You do not need to take hormones now or ever to be trans femme and/or a trans woman. Being trans can look and feel different to different people. There is no requirement for hormones or any other medical affirmation (e.g., surgery, laser hair removal, etc.) to be eligible for this study.

  • What if I’m not between the ages of 16 and 29?

    We’re only looking for folks between the ages of 16 and 29 at this time. If you’d like to be contacted about future studies that you might be eligible for, please contact us at the email address or phone number provided here.

  • Are people going to profit financially from this app?

    No, the purpose of this study is to see if the app helps protect trans women and trans femme folks from HIV. If the app is successful, the goal is to distribute the app to trans women and trans femme people for free.

  • Will I be able to see the results of the study?

    The study team will not return study results to you. You can ask the study team any questions you have about study results.