Trudie Jackson is a member of the Navajo Nation with her Clans reflecting the Bitterwater and Folded Arms People, then of the Mexican and Yucca-Strung-Out-In-A-Line People from Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. Trudie envisioned the Southwest American Indian Rainbow Gathering which started in 2010, then has continued over the years to address health disparities that impact the American Indian 2SLGBTQ community. While working in the public health sector of HIV programming, she started off as a Peer Health Advocate, onto a Prevention Specialist and case manager working with the Two Spirit community in the metro Phoenix, AZ area.
The lack of data on American Indian Transgender women in HIV/AIDS lead her to return to school. Trudie is currently completing her 1st year of doctoral studies at the University of New Mexico and her research focuses on American Indian Transgender Women in Sex Work. She has co-authored a scholarly article and conducts numerous presentations in tribal communities addressing the importance of HIV testing, education, and outreach. Her hobbies include reading, beading, and photography.