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The Internet creates unparalleled possibilities for research within the social and behavioral sciences arena. While the online environment is already being employed as a research tool by business academics and commercial organizations, social scientists from other fields have been somewhat slow to embrace the potential of this new medium. An area of study that has been particularly ridden with challenges and can benefit tremendously from the promise the Internet has to offer is the study of gender and sexuality. 

A plethora of studies in psychology, psychiatry, and medicine, to name a few, have proposed theories and possible explanations for gender and sexuality. None, however, has been completely conclusive. An underlying cause for the stunted development of this discipline has been inaccessibility to data. The Internet, however, changes the structure of traditional research models, by allowing greater access to data through its unprecedented reach. Further, electronic environments facilitate an ease and comfort in responding to studies that seek information on sensitive issues. The ability to maintain anonymity online, contributes significantly to this comfort. 

Trans-Forum Research hopes to initiate a transformation in the way in which research will be conducted on issues related to gender, sexuality, and HIV/AIDS as well as other areas such as, inter-sexuality, drug abuse, depression, violence, discrimination etc. It is hoped that in time, Trans-Forum Research will encapsulate initiatives such as, encouraging body donations, which will allow studies to investigate long-term effects of hormone administration, as well as, structures of brain chemistry to determine bio-roots in gender and sexuality. Beyond its core mission, which is to bring together  research and participant communities, to encourage online gender and sexuality research, Trans-Forum Research also supports exploratory studies through online surveys and interviews. For the Trans-Forum Research effort to be successful, however, participation on the part of both communities, i.e., relevant subjects/participants/respondents and the research/academic/medical community is essential. 

It is hoped that the outcome of the predicted progress in the field, will ultimately serve society as a whole. Conclusive research on gender/sexuality and behavior should result in a better understanding and awareness in the field.