The largest transgender survey ever conducted shows a heartbreaking result - the rates of transgenders in the US who experience violence and mistreatment exceed those of the general population. The result also shows that trans people are twice as likely to experience living in poverty. A large number of transgenders suffer from psychological distress due to how they are treated by other people with more and more transgenders committing suicide.
The National Center for Transgender Equality released on Thursday the results of a survey which examines the experiences of the transgender community. It was conducted summer of last year with responses from about 28,000 transgender people, Time reported.
Challenges That The Transgender Community Is Facing Is 'Unacceptable'
The U.S. Transgender Survey found that trans people are twice as likely to experience economic hardships compared to the general population and three times more likely to be unemployed, according to Post-Gazette. Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said the the results of their survey shows disturbing evidence of discrimination, violence and economic instability. "The findings make it really crystal clear there is more work to do. The challenges and tragedies that transgender people face every day is unacceptable," Keisling said.
Researchers Hope That Result Of The Study Will Be Used By Lawmakers
Survey project manager, Sandy James, said they hope that the survey results shows the problems that transgender people face are broader and deeper.
""Our hope is [the survey] prompts important dialogue about transgender people. There is pervasive mistreatment, harassment and violence basically in every facet of daily life for transgender people. Every minute we spend talking about [the bathroom controversy], we're not talking about real problems in people's lives," he said.
"The problems transgender people face aren't just about bathrooms but are about being human beings in society, about dignity, about the everyday ability to go about your life. A lot of issues like being able to pay rent are missed when all we talk about are bathrooms," James concluded.
