Transgender people of color: double injustice?

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the number of laws that should minimize the disadvantages of transgender people in America, discrimination is still a problem among this group. Several studies show that transgender people in America experience more discrimination against their gender identity compared to cisgender people. Especially, transgender people of color (TPOC) face the highest level of discrimination compared to white American transgender people in every area of life. The aim of this study is to determine whether TPOC in America are structurally disadvantaged in areas of housing, employment, healthcare and police violence and therefore experience (double) injustice, because of their race/ethnicity and gender identity, compared to their white counterparts. An intersectional approach is used to examine the following research question: Do transgender people of color in America experience double injustice compared to their white counterparts and how does that impact their lives? Methods: This research consists of a literature search and a quantitative study based on secondary data. The secondary data is an extensive survey of transgender discrimination based in the United States performed by the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and the National LGBTQ Task Force (n=6456). A MANOVA analysis was used to compare the groups on multiple correlated dependent variables; employment, housing, healthcare and police violence, with race (white versus non-white transgender people) as independent variable. Results: TPOC face more discrimination than white transgender people in America in healthcare, employment and housing and are more at risk of experiencing police violence. Conclusion: Results suggest more research is needed to continue examining the disparities in discrimination experienced by TPOC using an intersectional approach. With more research, understanding and acceptance there can be more prevention, education and outreach to TPOC.