Introduction to the special issue: queer and trans people’s experiences of sexual violence

We, the guest editors, have come to the topic of queer and trans experiences of sexual violence from different paths even though we started our careers in Psychology at the same institution (Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU!). Dr. Anderson is, first and foremost, a violence researcher, and Flanders a queer and trans health researcher. However, we have come together to collaborate in the last few years in recognition of how little scholars in the fields of violence research (frequently named violence against women) and sexual and gender minority (SGM) health research collaborate despite the many intersections and overlapping work of the fields. These fields have a great deal in common - both are invested in improving the lives of people who are marginalized. Yet, we saw a need to foster greater space and dialogue for violence researchers and SGM health researchers in psychology and related disciplines regarding the stark sexual violence disparities SGM people experience. We see this special issue as constituting a way in which this dialogue can be continued, as well as serving as an important resource on SGM sexual violence for both researchers and clinicians.