Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives have been lost as a result of anti-transgender violence, hatred, and prejudice. Transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimization, including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple assault. 2022 has already seen at least 32 transgender people lose their lives as a result of this violence.
Transgender people continue to face staggering levels of poverty and discrimination compared to the general population. Data from the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey shows that:
- 29% of transgender people live in poverty, compared to 14% of the general population.
- 30% of transgender people report being homeless at some point in their lives, with 12% saying it was within the past 12 months.
- Transgender people experience unemployment at 3x the rate of the general population, with rates for people of color up to 4x the national unemployment rate.
- 30% of transgender people report being fired, denied a promotion, or experiencing mistreatment in the workplace due to their gender identity in the past 12 months.
- 31% of transgender people experienced mistreatment in the past year in a place of public accommodation, including 14% who were denied equal service, 24% who were verbally harassed, and 2% who were physically attacked because they were transgender.
As a result of the issues and inequality facing the transgender community, transgender adults experience higher levels of depression and anxiety than the rest of the population, with 40% of transgender adults reporting attempting suicide in their lifetime, compared to less than 5% in the general US population. A 2019 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that more than half of transgender and non-binary youth have seriously considered suicide.
If you or someone you know is transgender and needs to talk, here are some of the resources available:
- 988 (call or text 988 or chat online), the shortcode to the national suicide and crisis hotline launched this July. This toll-free, three-digital phone number will connect the caller to a national network of more than 200 crisis centers.
- Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741 or use WhatsApp) – free, 24/7 support
- Trans Lifeline (1-877-565-8860) provides trans peer support, run by and for trans people.
- Trevor Project (Call 1-866-488-7386, text 678678, or chat online), provides information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.
Data like this shows the importance of passing legislation like The Equality Act (S.B. 393/H.B. 5), which would expand protections to prevent discrimination in employment, public accommodations and facilities, and housing. More importantly, it shows the importance of sharing the experience and wins of the transgender communities to help establish more positive representation as a way to combat transphobia, stigma and anti-trans violence.
Today, we remember and honor the transgender people whose lives have been lost to anti-trangender violence.
Learn more about the National Partnership’s work with The Equality Act and other issues facing the transgender community.
An updated U.S Trans Survey is taking place this year to update the data and help ensure that the experiences of trans people across the country are heard.
