On February 4, 2011, the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force issued a report on discrimination against transgender people in the United States. They issued a full report, and a summary of the full report. The report was called "Injustice at Every Turn".
Report based on survey question answers from 6,450 transgender people, from all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands.
Useful statistics for advocacy letters, etc. (the numbers and most of the language is drawn directly from the summary):
Kindergarten to 12th grade education:
1. 78% of transgender respondents reported some form of harassment for being transgender.
2. 35% were physically assaulted.
3. 12% were sexually assaulted.
4. 15% left school because of harassment.
Employment:
1. 90% of transgender respondents reported harassment, discrimination, or mistreatment at work.
2. 47% reported being fired, not hired, or denied a promotion.
3. 26% lost their job.
4. 71% hid their gender transition to avoid discrimination.
5. 57% delayed their transition.
6. 16% compelled to do illegal work, such as prostitution or selling drugs.
Housing:
1. 19% of transgender respondents refused a home or apartment.
2. 11% evicted.
3. 19% experienced homelessness at some point.
4. 2% currently homeless (double national rate of 1%)
5. Among those seeking access to a homeless shelter, 55% harassed by shelter staff or residents, 29% turned away, and 22% sexually assaulted by residents or staff.
Public Accomodations (hotels, restaurants, airports, government agencies, etc.):
1. 53% of transgender respondents harassed.
2. 22% denied equal treatment by a government agency.
3. 29% harassed by police.
Health Care:
1. 19% of transgender respondents refused medical care.
2. 50% had to teach doctors about transgender care.
3. Rate of HIV infection is quadruple national average.
3. 28% postponed medical care to avoid discrimination.
4. 48% couldn't afford medical care.
Family:
1. 57% of transgender respondents experienced family rejection.
Impact of Family Rejection:
1. A. Accepting families: 9% of transgender respondents from accepting families experienced homelessness.
B. Rejecting families: 26% experienced homelessness.
2. A. Accepting families: 11% had been incarcerated.
B. Rejecting families: 19% had been incarcerated.
3. A. Accepting families: 11% did sex work (or other illegal work).
B. Rejecting families: 19% did sex work.
4. A. Accepting families: 32% attempted suicide.
B. Rejecting families: 51% had attempted suicide.
5. A. Accepting families: 27% smoke.
B. Rejecting families: 32% smoke.
6. A. Accepting families: 19% used alcohol or drugs to cope with mistreatment.
B. Rejecting families: 32% used alcohol or drugs to cope with mistreatment.
The summary also has encouraging statistics on the resilience of transgender people--how they pursued employment, education, and hormone therapy in spite of the barriers.
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