What Is The Stigma Of Transgender Discrimination

Discrimination has been a problem for many years, from the slaving of African Americans dating back to 1619, to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals being shot in the streets a few weeks ago. However one specific group of people, transgendered people have been targeted for decades, yet they haven’t had the mass media coverage as other discrimination issues have. Focusing on their physical abuse, and psychological impact and the substance abuse from the discrimination they face; I hope to highlight these issues and show that they need help fighting this discrimination as well, and this isn’t just an individual problem but the bigger society’s issue.

Transgender individuals are at higher risk for “certain chronic diseases, cancers, and mental health problems (Vanderbilt University, 2017).” Transgender individuals who consume cross-sex hormones, and undergo sex-reassignment surgery have a greater risk for depression, anxiety, STDs, mental health issues, suicide attempts, victimization, and substance abuse (Grant, Mottet, Tanis, 2011), additionally, they usually do not have health insurance (Makadon, 2017). Furthermore, HIV rates are reported “over four times the national average of HIV infection, with higher rates among transgender people of color (Grant, Mottet, Tanis, 2011).”

Gender dysphoria is one of the characterizing aspects of being transgender, and while not all transgender people experience this, for those who do mental health often suffers; for this reason many consider medical treatment necessary to improve their well-being. Gender dysphoria, as described by the DSM-5, “manifests in a variety of ways, including strong desires to be treated as the other gender or to be rid of one’s sex characteristics” (Kupfer). It’s often accompanied with distress, which can lead to depression, anxiety, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts. In fact, suicide is all too common in transgender people. A survey of over 6,000 transgender people done in 2010 found that 41% had attempted suicide at some point in their lives (Grant 82). This high number is a trend that continues to be reflected in other surveys, such as one in

The purpose of this paper and the research therein is to explore the concepts of discrimination towards a particular group of individuals-transgender individuals. The reasoning associated with this is due to the increasing rates of discrimination and the multiple facets thereof associated with this particular group of people. The articles being used (five in total) provide an introspective point considering the negative impact associated with discrimination against transgender individuals and the resulting effects towards not only themselves, but also their relationships, their mental health; and their

Elderly transgender individuals have their own assortment of psychosocial and relational concerns that are associated with their identified community. They must contend with identity conflict, discrimination, policies and services that may not meet their basic needs. Furthermore, they are increasingly distressed by inflated financial concerns due to discrimination. Transgender adults face increased workplace discrimination compounded with ageism in acquiring new jobs. Increased interpersonal violence and harassment besiege transgender elders. Additionally, they must cope with the same challenges that their non-LGBTQIA colleagues encounter, such as long term care, chronic debilitating physical health and mental health

In 2015, at least 21 transgender people have been victims of fatal violence in the

Numerous studies have shown that transgender people face disproportionate amounts of discrimination in all areas of life, especially in employment. As the American economy worsens, the discrimination faced by transgender people is becoming even more acute. Often forced into already unstable jobs and careers, and often facing compounding bias because of race or age, the economic well being of transgender people is being challenged today like never before (National Center for Transgender Equality, 2011). The National Transgender Discrimination Survey showed that ninety percent (90%) of those surveyed reported experiencing harassment or mistreatment on the job or took actions to avoid it (Grant, M., Mottet, Tanis, Harrison, Herman, & Keisling, 2011). Lombardi, Wilchins, Priesing & Malouf (2001) asserted that people who are open about being trans or request accommodations are more likely to be harassed, intimidated, or fired. In addition, The National Transgender Discrimination Survey indicates that forty-seven percent (47%) of survey respondents said they had experienced an adverse job action; they did not get a job, were denied a promotion or were fired

Many people in the transgender community have been denied health care or services due to that they are transgender. They would get harassed, medical treatment delayed, where the medication would arrive late, or they would be completed denied service to treat them.

In recent years, a growing body of research and literature from a variety of professional organizations, such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH), has attempted to better understand and meet the needs of transgender individuals and the clinicians who provide their care. This is reflective of a societal shift towards inclusion, as well as a growing number of transgender individuals on the caseloads of clinicians. The APA, for example, made changes to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013 to reduce stigma and improve clinical care available to the transgender community. Specifically, the DSM-5, “changed gender identity

For most, identifying who you are, the population you belong to you, and the group you identify with is an incredibly simple task. Anything outside the standard gender parameters would often ostracize you from your family, friends, and community; however, an increasingly larger group of individuals do not follow these constructed parameters. About five in every 100,000 individuals do not fall into the sex and gender roles they are born into. These individuals face a lifetime of psychological abuse, physical abuse, depression, and in some cases suicide. The transgender community faces a plethora of problems that limit their acceptance into society. Transitioning can be the single most important step toward a healthier, happy life.

Among the most important findings were statistics revealing 28% of respondents reported postponement of care due to discrimination and affordability, refusal of care at a rate of 19% and half of the respondents reported even having to teach their healthcare providers about transgender care. 21 Discrimination and the lack of provider knowledge regarding transgender health needs are directly related to the lack of access to quality health care. 12, 20Interviews of both transgender patients and providers regarding stigma revealed “ambivalence and uncertainty” from both parties due to provider’s lack of knowledge regarding the patients specific needs, which served to “reinforce the medical power and authority in the face of provider uncertainty.”18 For this medically marginalized community, it is important to acknowledge healthcare providers, themselves, recognize the lack of knowledge necessary to provide quality care for these specific needs.19 Restrictions to access increase the risk for depression, suicide, and HIV. But on the contrary, access to medical attention has been linked to high-risk behavior reduction as well as the use of safe hormone therapies. However, there are still areas of healthcare that are underutilized and perhaps even unattainable within the transgender

Transgendered people face serious challenges and discrimination within the workplace. Some of the most prominent and pressing issues are said to be proper pronoun identification, acceptance of use of gender-specific facilities, and a general misunderstanding that as physical characteristics change, the work-rate and productivity will still be the same. In a study done by Brewster, Velez, Mennicke, and Tebbe (2014), they aimed to decipher where the biggest problem is - whether it be interpersonal issues, intrapersonal factors, systemic/organizational issues, or logistics issues. By asking 139 self-identified transgender people a series of open ended questions pertaining to their experiences, successes, and/or struggles

Transgenders persevere through high rates of employment injustice and harassment at work. In a current national survey, an astonishing 90 % of transgender individuals depicted some harassment or abuse on the job. Approximately half of transgender individuals also describe experiencing an adverse employment result due to their gender identity. This entails being disregarded for employment (44 %), getting terminated (26 %), and being denied a promotion (23 %).

A 2013 meta-analysis by Baral and colleagues indicated a 21.7% prevalence of HIV in this population in the US, which represents an odds 34.2 times that of the sexually active population (BARAL). Transgender women, an individual assigned as male early in life but who identifies as a woman, experience increased vulnerability to HIV infection that can be attributed to “multilevel, intersecting factors that also influence all stages of the HIV treatment treatment and care continuum”. (POTEAT). These factors include structural and interpersonal stigma,

The current data surrounding HIV rates in transgender women are inadequate for several reasons. First, due to an unequal number of studies from each country, the international data reports are merely estimates and are most likely not generalizable to all transgender populations across the world. Next, the sampling methods that have been used, may have resulted in an oversampling of transgender women who are sex workers as these specific populations tend to congregate together (3). Additionally, because the transgender identity is constantly shifting, women who have already undergone their full transition and assimilated into their gender identity may not even identify as transgender. This affects data collection because they are then not included in epidemiological or prevention studies that could be significant. When it comes to doing studies, transgender participants are scarce, which affects researchers’ abilities to study HIV as it relates to a very specific population (3). The HIV surveillance measures in place are deficient and transgender-specific interventions are scarce, as will be illustrated next. More research and studies need to be done to get a more accurate idea of what kind of interventions will help the transgender population most effectively in regards to HIV prevention and treatment.