Majorities of People in 10 Countries Support Nondiscrimination Protections for Transgender People

Author: The Williams Institute
Author Contact: williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu
Published: 10th Aug 2021 - Updated: 27th Oct 2022
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Transgender News Publications

Summary: A report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law explores public opinion about transgender people and their rights in 10 countries.

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Main Document

 

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A new report series by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law explores public opinion about transgender people and their rights in 10 countries: Poland, South Korea, Malaysia, Turkey, Mexico, China, Peru, Serbia, South Africa, and the United States. In all 10 countries, majorities of respondents in each country believe transgender people should be protected from discrimination. Respondents from Mexico (83%) were the most supportive.

Using data from the 2017 Global Attitudes Toward Transgender People survey conducted by Ipsos, researchers collaborated with in-country experts to examine respondents' familiarity with transgender people, as well as their attitudes toward transgender people and their rights, including the right to gender-affirming surgery, marry, serve in the military, adopt children, and use the restroom consistent with their gender identity.

Results show that most respondents in each country agree that transgender people should be allowed to have gender-affirming surgery. In many countries, women and younger people were more likely to be supportive of transgender rights.

"There is a great deal of variability in socio-political climates among countries around the world, which may contribute to variations in attitudes toward transgender people and their rights," said Ari Shaw, Director of International Programs at the Williams Institute. "While attitudes vary between nations and among different populations within a country, the overall support for nondiscrimination protections is a promising finding."

"One of the strongest predictors of approval of transgender rights is whether people report having friends or family members who are transgender," said series author Winston Luhur, research assistant at the Williams Institute. "As transgender people and the issues that affect them become more visible, more research is needed to understand how public opinion affects law and policy and vice versa. Future studies should also consider specific factors driving attitudes, law, and policy around transgender people in these countries and beyond."

SELECTED FINDINGS

China

• 62% of respondents said they want China to do more to support and protect transgender people.
• 65% agreed transgender people should be allowed to adopt children.

Malaysia

• 30% of respondents reported having transgender acquaintances.
• 68% agreed that transgender people should be allowed to adopt children.

Mexico

• 53% of respondents agreed that transgender people should be able to use the restroom consistent with their gender identity.
• 67% want Mexico to do more to support and protect transgender people.

Peru

• 57% of respondents believe that transgender people are brave.
• 58% agreed that transgender people should be allowed to serve in the military.

Poland

• 61% of respondents agreed that transgender people should be able to update their government IDs to reflect their gender identity.
• Respondents under 35 were significantly less likely than those ages 35 to 64 to agree that transgender people should be allowed to have gender-affirming surgery.

Serbia

• Younger respondents were significantly less likely than older respondents to be supportive of transgender people.
• 46% of respondents reported having seen a transgender person but not knowing them personally.

South Africa

• 20% of respondents have personal friends or family members who are transgender.
• 58% agreed that transgender people should be allowed gender-affirming surgery.

South Korea

• 45% of respondents believe transgender people should be allowed to serve in the military
• 44% believe South Korea is becoming more tolerant towards transgender people.

Turkey

• Male respondents were significantly less likely than female respondents to agree that transgender people should be protected from discrimination by the government.
• 25% of respondents reported having transgender acquaintances.

United States

• 71% of respondents believe the U.S. is becoming more tolerant of transgender people.
• 71% agreed that transgender people should be allowed gender-affirming surgery.

All reports are available in English, and many reports also include one additional language commonly spoken in the country (e.g., Polish, Malay, Turkish, Spanish).

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, a think tank on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy, is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research with real-world relevance.

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