Spotlighting Violence Against Transgender People

Author: The Human Rights Campaign
Published: 2nd Feb 2015 - Updated: 31st Aug 2015
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Transgender News Publications

Summary: Brief detailing violence facing transgender people, and solutions for policymakers and leaders to address the crisis.

Main Document

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, in partnership with Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC), released an issue brief detailing the violence facing transgender people, and solutions that can be pursued by policymakers and public and private sector leaders to address the national crisis.

"The level of violence targeting transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, is a national crisis that the LGBT movement has a responsibility to confront," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "This issue reveals how far we still have to go in order to ensure that all members of the LGBT community have equal access to basic dignity and fair treatment."

The reality is appalling:

• At least 13 transgender women were murdered in 2014, and at least another two have been killed so far this year;
• All but one of the victims were black or Latina;
• The murders are typically gruesome and have gone mostly unsolved;
• Local media routinely misgender these victims, and often police emphasize victims' arrest records to diminish and miscast the lives of the murdered.

"It is imperative that we address the social, economic, policy and structural barriers and stigma that prevent transgender people--especially transgender people of color-- from living out their full potential as equal citizens," said Kylar Broadus, TPOCC's executive director. "We're excited to partner with HRC on this incredibly important issue affecting our community. Since its inception, TPOCC has worked tirelessly to bring to light the violence and marginalization that transgender people of color suffer, and we look forward to working with the LGBT movement more broadly to expand efforts to address these issues."

HRC and TPOCC join other LGBT advocates in calling for federal, state and municipal agencies, as well as foundations, corporations and philanthropists to take these actions immediately to reduce the risk for transgender people:

• Support Emergency Housing Initiatives
• Expand Healthcare Coverage for Transgender people
• Address Unemployment through Public-Private Partnerships and Non-Discrimination Protections
• Improve Educational Environments for Transgender Students
• Improve Law Enforcement Training and Response

This crisis is exacerbated by the challenges faced by the transgender community.

Transgender women of color face both racism and transphobia, which too often propel them into poverty, and prevent them from accessing jobs, housing, and healthcare. In too many cases, the are treated unfairly by law enforcement, and their lives are literally put in peril when they are denied access to safety net services including emergency shelters and rape crisis centers.

"HRC is committed to continue fighting against the legal barriers and social stigmas that allow this kind of violence to persist," Griffin said. "Transgender people are suffering and losing their lives in this country, and we've got to work together to roll back this tide of violence."

Post to Twitter Add to Facebook

Latest Transgender News Publications
The above information is from our reference library of resources relating to Transgender News that includes:
	Peri-Operative Care of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals New guidance for clinicians and departments published for peri-operative care of transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Publish Date: 24th Jul 2024
	Study Highlights Need for Tailored Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines for Transgender Women Study finds PSA tests may give false reassurance for transgender women on estrogen therapy and could miss some cancers. Publish Date: 28th Jun 2024
	Dietary Supplement Use in Transmasculine People Study highlights the need for population-level research on the nutritional needs of transgender people. Publish Date: 25th Mar 2024
	Transgender Scientists Address Academic Challenges and Offer Ways to Provide Support Transgender, and family members of transgender, scientists describe what it is like to be a transgender person in STEMM. Publish Date: 14th Mar 2024