Annotated Bibliography On Transgender Youth

Attempting suicide is an epidemic in the United States; especially when 41% of transgender individuals have attempted suicide compared 1.6% of the general population (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). Due to this, the question of whether or not transgender youth have a harder, more straining adolescence than their cisgender counterparts rises. Although adolescence can be hard on everyone, experiences such as a school environment, puberty, laws that guarantee protection, family and social acceptance of transgender youth are harder than those of their cisgender counterparts (harder does not necessarily mean correlate with strenuous, the use of harder is aiming more towards different, costly, and possibly more confusing). The revolution for transgender lives is just beginning, change is happening. But in order for change to occur, adequate information on the material needs to be discussed and terminology must be defined and questions must be answered. Questions such as: what do the terms transgender and cisgender actually mean? Why is it important to know the difference between the two terms? What is the difference between transsexual and transgender?

Did you know that more than 50% of transgender minors have admitted to attempting suicide? How about that 82% of transgender youth feel unsafe or scared at school? These statistics are high, too high. Transgender is defined as of, relating to, or being a person who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that differs from the one which corresponds to the person's sex at birth, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary. Years ago it was considered bad to be transgender, but our society has become more open-minded, leading to the coming outs of many more transgender minors. However, while it seems as though we are more open-minded, transgender youth are still being mistreated, to a point where suicide sometimes seems like the only good

Years after the National LGBTQ Task Force released their report calling LGBTQ youth homelessness an epidemic, these youths are still fighting each other for limited resources. Unfortunately, LGBTQ youth still do not have access to services that respect their identities. National

Homelessness is an epidemic that plagues many people across the United States for many different reasons. However, for young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, living homeless can become especially difficult. Young people of the LGBT community are being put out of their homes, rejected by their families, and shunned by their communities in which they live because of their sexual orientation, something that they themselves have no choice over. This is because of prejudices that are put out by the community as a whole.

Many services are available that can positively impact protective factors, however, barriers to these services exist for LGBTQ youth; particularly transgender youth (Mathematica Policy Research, 2014). The barriers to providing services to LGBTQ homeless youth are twofold. First, LGBTQ youth are not always open to accepting services for a variety of reasons. Stigma, discrimination, and victimization are factors that impact the willingness of LGBT homeless youth to utilize services, especially homeless shelters; as is prior rejection at home and school (Hunter, 2008; Whitbeck, Chen, Hoyt, Tyler & Johnson, 2004). It is important to consider that many LGBT homeless youth have previously been in the foster care system and have reported that abuse

What does it mean to be transgender? Does it mean that you don’t agree with how you look? Does it mean that you don’t think the way your gender should? No, transgender means that your body doesn’t match the way your brain thinks you are.

Transgender women will be allowed to enroll in one of the three female-only colleges at Cambridge University, as well as Barnard College and Smith College did in 2015.

It is simple for heterosexuals to pick which bathroom to go to, but for transgender person it “can become fraught with anxiety or even danger” (Windfield 107). The transforation from man to woman or woman to man for transgender people can make them “feel more whole or real” (107). One problem that we seem to miss is how homeless LGBT teens continue to rise in the United states because of how bold the this generation is becoming about their individuality (109). The main reason for them to physically leaving home and becoming homeless is because of the reactions their family and friends have when coming out as who they are. One of the biggest processes in showing your gender identity is how you look. Most of the time a person will change their haircut, remove bodily hair, take hormones to change their voice, chest, and breast. Most of the time before a sex change the person will “undergo hormone therapy” (“Gender Identity Disorder”) to help before they transition. The most important thing for the people who are changing for accepting their life choice to be who they are is that they are doing it because they want to change

Between 240,000 and 400,000 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth experience at least one episode of homelessness each year in the United States (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2008). LGBT status increases risk of homelessness and impedes the youth’s attempts to exit homelessness, therefore the youth experience high rates of sex work, HIV risk, substance use, mental illness, and suicidal ideation (Keuroghlian, Shtasel, & Bassuk, 2014; Tyler, 2008; Walls & Bell, 2011). The recognition of the importance of the social determinants of health is linked to social justice, education, shelter, food security and self-determination (Mohajer & Ernest, 2010). Their fundamental human rights are being violated, including the right to suitable

LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) youth face a particular set of challenges but I want to focus on housing instability/homelessness. Frequently, unstable or homeless LGBTQ persons have great difficulty finding shelters that accept and respect them. Unfortunately, LGBTQ individuals experiencing unstableness or homelessness are often at a heightened risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation compared with their heterosexual peers. Homeless youth who identifies as LGBTQ are commonly kids who were kicked out of their families and homes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Transsexuals rank lowest in overall wellbeing (Gates). SIRS researcher writes, “The American Psychiatric Association uses the term ‘gender dysphonia’ as the medical diagnosis for people who feel their birth-assigned sex and their gender identity do not match.” Civilians need a better understanding that transgender people need better protection. People against transsexuals believe that transgender are “ghastly” and are having an “identity crisis.” Transsexuals need protection in the workplace, public facilities, and in athletics/sports.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual transgender, and queer identified (LGBTQ) runaway and homeless youth are of the most vulnerable groups in this country. Homelessness, particularly among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, queer youth is an enduring example of a social problem in our society. The LGBTQ youth faces an increasing number of challenges. In disclosing their sexual orientation family conflict arises and plays a huge role in the issue of homelessness among the LGBTQ youth. They face forms of stigma and marginalization that position them as needing not only critical but immediate support from the community; however, communities are not aware of the real issue that these youth face day to day with their struggle in trying to survive on the streets.

Homelessness can seem like a haven to the LGBTQ community, rather than facing the misunderstanding in their homes (“Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender HeathNew” 2). Teenagers can be put into the child welfare system. As discussed in an article by Jill Jacobs and Madelyn Freundlich, ordinarily the goal is to find homes for minors (300). In the case of LGBTQ youth, the adolescents are usually entered into the foster

Cass’s Model of Homosexual Identify Formation provides stages for helping individuals who identify as homosexual cope (Evans, Forney, Guido, Patton, & Renn, 2010, p.16). Cass’s model would have provided me with insight on issues that transsexuals may be facing as well as provide various tools that I could offer the young woman. In addition, I would also research Gender Identity Development Theories. These theories would be utilized as a source to help the female students as well as providing suggestions on how to teach acceptance and tolerance amongst others. One of the key researchers of this field is B. Beemyn. His research offers suggestions on how to provide support to students who are dealing with transgender

At the time of birth, every person is named and identified by the external sexual features. The specific sex-related behaviors develop in later years. These roles are largely based on social experiences and inner feelings. Generally, the behaviors are consistent with the gender assigned at birth, however; there are some children who are cross-gendered and show behaviors that are opposite to the sex assigned to them at birth (Pardo, 2008). Most of the transgender people identify their gender identity during adolescence, research studies suggest that transgender males and females go through a process of dissonance, exploration and finally disclosure before they identify their actual gender identity. The feelings of difference are persistent