Until [Transgender] Justice…Just Is.

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Until [Transgender] Justice…Just Is.

Categories: News

UNTIL [TRANSGENDER] JUSTICE…JUST IS.

During Intersectional Pride Month 2021, we take the time to uplift and support our trans sisters of color. A group that has been long ignored and violently silenced is experiencing a crisis in our community. Cleveland, Ohio is an epicenter of the transgender murder crisis, 90% of these being Black transgender women. This crisis does not exist in a vacuum. Transgender marginalization has deep roots in lack of awareness and exposure, rigid gender norms, stereotyping, racism, and forced invisibility. Transgender women of color deserve true inclusion and acceptance in every part of our society and urgently need our support to ensure it. We all have a personal responsibility in creating a trans-inclusive community. Advocate for the full inclusion of transgender women of color in every part of your community; to family, friends, and in all personal networks. Actively seek and use correct names, identifiers, and pronouns. Support and uplift the voices, businesses, and crafts of transgender women of color in your community.

We believe that the needs of transgender women of color must be met to eliminate racism and empower women until trans justice…just is. #UntilJusticeJustIs

WE ADVOCATE FOR: TRANSGENDER SAFETY

THE PROBLEM

  • 2020 was the deadliest year of all time for transgender and gender-expansive people. This year is on track to see a 300% increase in transgender murders from 2020.
  • Violence against transgender and gender-expansive women of color has reached a level of national emergency. Systemic oppression, racism, sexism, and transphobia combine to deprive transgender women of color of their basic needs and safety. 
    • Since 2013, 78% of transgender murders have been transgender women of color. 
    • Black transgender women are critically impacted, accounting for 66% of all transgender murders. 

Causes

  • Some cases of transgender and gender-expansive violence are caused by anti-trans hate. However, in many cases, our society’s systemic rejection, discrimination, and denial of opportunity for transgender people of color forces them into positions such as unemployment, survival sex work, housing instability, and more that can drastically increase one’s risk of experiencing (often fatal) violence. 
    • More than 1 in 4 transgender people has faced a transphobia-driven assault.
  • Barriers to education, employment, healthcare, supportive services, legal identification, and more deny transgender people equal opportunity to meet their basic needs. 
  • Transgender people of color can be met with violence in the workplaces, schools, homes, and communities, leaving very few safe spaces.

Interpersonal & Sexual Violence 

  • Interpersonal violence accounts for a significant number of transgender and gender-expansive fatalities, often perpetrated by a romantic or potential romantic partner. 
    • Societal failures, transphobia, and discrimination force transgender people of color into positions such as sex work or homelessness that increase the likelihood of experiencing interpersonal and sexual violence. 
      • 54% of transgender people have experienced some form of intimate partner violence
      • 47% of transgender people have been sexually assaulted 
      • 29% of known cases of fatal violence against transgender people were committed by an intimate partner
  • The transgender community faces a stigma of hypersexuality, leading to their objectification and contributing to their experiences of violence. 
    • Documentation of sexual violence against transgender individuals is extremely limited, but one study found that 50% of transgender people have experienced sexual violence.
  • Transgender and gender-expansive people of color face extreme risks and challenges to receiving proper care and justice when experiencing intimate partner or sexual violence. 

Inaccurate Reporting

  • Misgendering, lack of reporting,  and lack of public interest combine to leave large gaps in data around transgender violence. Accurate data is unknown.
    • At least 74% of murdered transgender individuals were initially misgendered. 
    • Reporting hate crimes is voluntary, so national statistics are extremely skewed.
    • Many cities and agencies across the country choose not to report, or report a false 0.

Cleveland

  • Cleveland is identified as an epicenter for America’s transgender murder crisis.
    • Black women account for 90% of Cleveland’s known transgender murders.
  • Cleveland has been identified as the worst large city in America for Black women.

THE SOLUTION

  • Correctly identify, investigate, and report hate crimes against transgender and gender-expansive people. 
  • Explicitly include trans-specific issues in conversation and policy and practice changes around physical and sexual violence and safety. 
  • Expand inclusive and affirming physical and mental health and supportive services that address specific needs of transgender survivors of violence. 
  • Acknowledge personal responsibility in helping eliminate stigmas against transgender and gender-expansive people through education, inclusion, and advocacy in personal networks.
  • Center voices of transgender people of color in policy and practice changes to ensure needs are truly being met.

WHERE WE STAND

YWCA Greater Cleveland believes that ensuring the safety of transgender and gender-expansive people of color is integral to our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Our 2020-2025 Strategic plan emphasizes our focus on creating a safe community for women and girls of color, which explicitly includes transgender women and girls of color.

We actively acknowledge the compounding forces of racism, sexism, and transphobia that make Cleveland an epicenter for America’s transgender murder crisis. We work to continue to provide affirming and supportive spaces for transgender women and girls of color to empower them as integral members of our community.

WE ADVOCATE FOR: TRANSGENDER HEALTH

THE PROBLEM

Part I: Mental Health

  • Transgender and gender-expansive people of color face extreme obstacles and discrimination in virtually every part of life, causing disparate mental health risks including depression, anxiety, suicide, and more.
    • 1 in 4 transgender individuals says they have faced significant psychological harm due to discrimination.
    • Transgender people attempt suicide at nearly nine times the national average, a devastating effect of anti-transgender stigma and discrimination. 
  • Transgender and gender-expansive people of color experiencing mental health struggles or crises face extreme obstacles to receiving mental health services.
    • Discrimination and lack of trans-specific knowledge among mental health professionals are common.
    • 13% of transgender individuals report a health professional tried to stop them from being transgender. 
    • This experience is directly tied to increased likeliness to experience psychological distress, attempted suicide, experiencing homelessness, and more.
  • Violence against transgender and gender-expansive individuals of color has reached epidemic levels. Experiencing violence is directly tied to negative mental health effects, including psychological distress (see Until Justice For Gender-Based Violence Survivors Just Is).

Part II: Physical Health

  • Anti-trans stigmas, discrimination, racism, and violence lead to transgender and gender-expansive people of color being more likely to face physical health conditions. 
  • The frequency of discrimination from medical providers & insurance companies and the rarity of access to transgender-specific medical care prevents many transgender individuals from fully addressing health issues.
    • 1 in 3 transgender people say a healthcare provider has refused them care because of their gender identity. 
  • Denial of transition-related healthcare coverage is extremely common, as is the complete denial of any coverage for transgender individuals.
  • Denial of sexual health for transgender individuals allows sexual health issues to remain common in the transgender community, especially for transgender women of color. When combined with a lack of supportive services for transgender people, leading to increased rates of survival sex work, this becomes extremely dangerous for the transgender community.
    • 44% of Black transgender women are living with HIV.
    • 26% of Latina transgender women are living with HIV.
  • Due to anti-trans stigmas and discrimination, denial of health services and medication during incarceration is extremely common. This is particularly devastating for transgender people of color who face disparate rates of incarceration.
    • 37% of transgender people who were taking hormones before incarceration report being prevented from taking them during incarceration. 

THE SOLUTION

  • Expand and protect health care coverage for transgender and gender-expansive people. 
  • Center voices and needs of transgender and gender-expansive people of color in policy and practice changes to ensure needs are truly being met.
  • Widespread acknowledgment that negative mental and physical health conditions are results of anti-trans stigmas, rejection,  & discrimination, and not inherent characteristics of transgender people.
  • Accessible, affordable, and affirming mental and physical health care that specifically addresses the needs of transgender individuals.
  • Increased training among health care providers to increase expertise in trans-specific mental and physical health needs and cultural competency to ensure inclusive, affirming, and current services are provided.
  • Active hiring of transgender health care providers to encourage true inclusion in healthcare spaces.
  • Comprehensive legislation to prohibit discrimination against transgender people by insurance companies and health care providers.

WHERE WE STAND

YWCA Greater Cleveland believes that quality mental and physical healthcare for all people is a critical need. Our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan emphasizes our goal to ensure the health and safety of all women and girls of color. This includes and actively centers the health needs of transgender and gender-expansive women and girls of color. We believe transgender women and girls of color deserve the opportunity to thrive as empowered community members, and that physical and mental health is integral to this opportunity.

We acknowledge and condemn the status of Cleveland as an epicenter for the transgender murder crisis and work to ensure our advocacy and facilities are inclusive, affirming, and empowering spaces for transgender women and girls. 

WE ADVOCATE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH

THE PROBLEM

Part I: Mental & Physical Health

  • Transgender and gender-expansive youth are more likely than transgender adults to experience acts of sexual and physical violence. This increases dramatically for transgender youth of color.
  • Transgender and gender-expansive youth are much more likely to experience mental health struggles than their cisgender counterparts.
    • 61% of transgender youth battle symptoms of depression, compared to 29% of non-LGBT youth.
  • Mental and physical health care providers knowledgeable in transgender youth-specific needs are extremely rare and discrimination against and denial of care to transgender youth is extremely common.

Part II: Familial Rejection & Isolation

  • Transgender and gender-expansive youth are extremely likely to face familial rejection, often from a very early age.
  • Familial rejection is directly tied to negative mental and physical health conditions and youth homelessness as it often denies transgender youth essential physical and emotional resources.
    • 40% of homeless youth are LGBT+.
  • Familial acceptance contributes to lower rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, HIV acquisition, and many more in transgender youth.

Part III: Schools

  • Schools are often hostile and unwelcoming environments for transgender and gender-expansive youth.
    • 4 out of 5 LGBTQ+ students reported frequent harassment in school based on their appearance or perceived sexual orientation.
    • Less than 5% of LGBTQ+ students believe all of their teachers are accepting of LGBTQ+ people.
  • With very few policies to protect them from peer and/or staff mistreatment and discrimination, schools can be detrimental to the physical and mental health of transgender youth.
  • Transgender and gender-expansive students often miss larger amounts of school due to feeling unsafe. 
    • 84% of transgender youth don’t always feel safe in the classroom.
  • This can cause lifelong negative impacts, such as future financial stability, employment opportunities, likelihood to experience homelessness, and more.

THE SOLUTION

  • Expand physical and mental health services to include the needs of transgender and gender-expansive youth, especially youth of color.
  • Create school policies and requirements to ensure transgender youth are supported and affirmed in educational settings at all times.
  • Increased training for youth-serving professionals to ensure proper support and empowerment of transgender youth.
  • Expand the creation of safe spaces for transgender youth and support existing organizations that provide supportive services and/or function as safe and empowering spaces for transgender youth.
  • Center the voices of transgender youth of color in policy and practice changes to ensure needs are truly being met. 
  • Acknowledge personal responsibility of educating family members and personal networks about transgender inclusion. 

WHERE WE STAND

YWCA Greater Cleveland stands firm in the belief that advocacy for transgender youth of color is integral to our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan outlines our goal of the empowerment of women and girls of color. We believe that this explicitly includes the needs of transgender youth of color.

We continue to create affirming and trauma-informed spaces specifically inclusive of transgender youth through Independence Place and NIA.

WE ADVOCATE FOR TRANSGENDER HOUSING AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

THE PROBLEM

Part I: Homelessness

  • Transgender and gender-expansive women of color disproportionately experience homelessness:
    • 59% of Indigenous transgender women experience homelessness.
    • 51% of Black and multiracial transgender women experience homelessness.
    • 49% of Middle Eastern transgender women experience homelessness.
    • 35% of Latina transgender women experience homelessness.
  • Transgender and gender-expansive people are commonly denied supportive services and resources during times of need. This includes being expelled or denied access to housing and/or shelters.
    • 70% of transgender people who have stayed in a shelter report mistreatment because of their gender identity.
  • Many transgender people avoid shelter situations altogether due to fear of mistreatment or harassment.
  • Exclusion is directly tied to a higher risk of experiencing homelessness, sexual assault, and violence.

Part II: Economic Instability

  • Nearly 1 in 3 transgender people report living in poverty. This is exacerbated for transgender people of color. 
    • 41% of Black transgender people report experiencing homelessness at some point. This is more than 5 times the national average.
  • Many transgender people experiencing economic instability rely on criminalized work to survive.
    • This increases rates of violence, sexual assault, health disparities, police harassment, and fatal violence, especially for transgender people of color. 
    • 1 in 8 transgender people has participated in survival sex work.
    • Transgender people who engage in sex work experience higher rates of sexual and physical violence. Criminalization of the work leads many to avoid reporting when they are victims of crime.

Part III: Employment

  • Transgender and gender-expansive people of color experience extreme workplace discrimination and harassment.
    • Transgender unemployment is 3 times higher than that of the general population.
    • Black transgender unemployment is 4 times higher than that of the general population. 
    • 27% of transgender employees report having been fired or mistreated in the workplace due to their gender identity or expression.
  • Truly affirming and inclusive workplaces are rare. This puts transgender people of color at a higher risk of experiencing financial instability, homelessness, and involvement with criminalized work.
  • These factors combined with anti-trans stigmas and institutional racism put transgender people of color at an increased risk for violence, danger, and negative mental & physical health conditions.

THE SOLUTION

  • Eliminate barriers in education, employment, health care, and supportive services to ensure transgender people of color can fully participate in our communities and workplaces.
  • Create and expand supportive services that specifically address the needs of transgender people of color.
  • Encourage expansion of workplace-specific policies and practices that ensure the active inclusion of transgender people of color in the workplace, including transgender-inclusive health benefits, cultural competence training, expanded hiring practices, and more.
  • Center voices of transgender people of color in policy and practice changes to ensure needs are truly being met. 
  • Acknowledge personal responsibility of advocating for full transgender inclusion in personal networks and workplaces.

WHERE WE STAND

We believe that all people have a right to economic and housing stability. Addressing the specific barriers and needs of transgender women of color in achieving this is integral to achieving our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. 

Norma Herr Women’s Center, Cogswell Hall, and Independence Place continue to function as trauma-informed, inclusive, and affirming spaces for all residents. This actively includes transgender women and girls of color.

WE ADVOCATE FOR TRANSGENDER LEGAL PROTECTION

THE PROBLEM

  • There are very few explicit legal protections for and constant legal attacks threatening the basic rights of transgender and gender-expansive individuals.
  • This sends a harmful message that transgender people are not full members of our society and do not deserve equal protection under the law.
  • Transgender people experiencing involvement with the criminal justice system face disproportionate levels of mistreatment and are often incarcerated in facilities that do not match their gender identity. 
  • Ohio does not include sexual orientation as a criterion for hate crimes.
  • Although some cities have passed local legislation, the state of Ohio does not address discrimination on account of sexual orientation and gender identity, aside from employment discrimination.
  • Conversion therapy is legal in almost all parts of Ohio, despite this dangerous practice having been discredited by almost every mainstream medical and mental health organization. 
  • Ohio allows change of sex on birth certificates as of December 2020, but does not include non-binary gender expressions.

THE SOLUTION

  • Center and elevate voices of transgender and gender-expansive people of color to ensure legal needs are truly being met.
  • Support trans-inclusive elected officials and legislation. 
  • Acknowledge personal responsibility to dismantle trans stigmas by educating personal networks, disputing harmful rhetoric, and advocating for true trans inclusion, opportunity, and representation. 
  • Increase pressure to expand protection for transgender and gender-expansive people in Ohio state legislature. 
  • Support legislation to discourage criminal justice misconduct against transgender people of color. 

WHERE WE STAND

YWCA Greater Cleveland acknowledges the importance of legal rights and protections to create equity and opportunity for transgender and gender-expansive women and girls of color in our community.

As we stand in solidarity with those working to create true trans equality through legislation, we continue to function in response to community need.