partners in commemorating The Transgender Day of Remembrance and
will take time to remember those in our community who have lost
their lives to violence.
As we reflect on the many strides the LGBT community has made in
recent months, we also are faced with the stark reality that
transgender people are still among the most vulnerable populations
in the U.S. today.
To see just how widespread the discrimination and violence
experienced by transgender and gender non-conforming people is,
take a look at Injustice
at Every Turn, published last February by the National
Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force. Some alarming facts from the report:
- More than 90 percent of transgender people experience
harassment and mistreatment in the workplace, with nearly half
being fired or denied a promotion. - Those who expressed a transgender identity or gender
non-conformity while in grades K-12 reported alarming rates of
harassment (78%), physical assault (35%) and sexual violence (12%);
harassment was so severe that it led almost one-sixth (15%) to
leave a school in K-12 settings or in higher education. - Fifty-three percent (53%) of respondents reported being
verbally harassed or disrespected in a place of public
accommodation, including hotels, restaurants, buses, airports and
government agencies. - Respondents experienced widespread abuse in the public sector,
and were often abused at the hands of “helping” professionals
and government officials. One fifth (22%) were denied equal
treatment by a government agency or official; 29% reported police
harassment or disrespect; and 12% had been denied equal treatment
or harassed by judges or court officials.
And to read about the additional and unique challenges that parents
who are transgender face, please read All Children Matter, a
report detailing the inequities facing LGBT-headed families across
the U.S.
As we commemorate those we’ve lost during this 13th
annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, we renew our commitment to
ensuring that all of America’s families are valued,
respected and treated equally.