by: Lea Gnoy
The stigma attached to transgender and non-binary individuals has led to extreme cases of violence. Out of an estimated 2 million individuals, 2022 has seen over 32 transgender and non-binary individuals fatally shot or killed in other violent ways. While recognizing and grieving these losses is important, it is crucial to act and work towards making our society a safer place for these individuals.
Human Rights Foundation’s “Dismantling a Culture of Violence” shows that in order to find ways in which change can be made, it is important to understand what leads to violence against transgender and non-binary people. Stigma, denial of opportunity, and other increased risk factors all have a huge impact on the violence these individuals face. Many transgender and non-binary people face stigma at such an early age, making it hard to live openly and comfortably without having to worry about their safety. This stigma, often derived from political views and inaccurate beliefs, affects transgender and non-binary’s family relationships and social lives. Over half of “transgender and gender expansive youth” face familial rejection that can lead to being kicked out of their homes or abuse, leading to homelessness and severe depression and mental health issues. Some families also turn to conversion therapy, which leads to long-lasting trauma as well.
The United States’ hostile political climate also only adds to the hateful acts against these individuals. For example, there are countless efforts to stop transgender and gender-expansive youth from “accessing transition related medical care”. While the strong stigma attached to transgender and non-binary individuals is harmful in itself, it also leads to a lack of opportunity due to poor access to education, employment discrimination, exclusions from healthcare, and unequal policing. The systemic barriers placed reduce individuals’ ability to protect themselves in their daily lives and it is important as a society to understand these struggles to effectively promote much needed change.
Citations
“Dismantling a Culture of Violence.” HRC Digital Reports, Human Rights Campaign, https://reports.hrc.org/dismantling-a-culture-of-violence?_ga=2.150869046.1876992709.1668026462-222641704.1668026462.