Denver, July 9, 2015 — Although recent polling indicates that only 11-22% of Americans personally know someone who is transgender, the public transitions of Caitlyn Jenner and, previously, Laverne Cox, mean more people are becoming familiar with transgender people. Few people, however, understand the myriad issues facing transgender people, including legal discrimination; limited job opportunities; high rates of poverty, harassment, and violence; health disparities; challenges updating identity documents needed for daily living, and more.
The Movement Advancement Project’s (MAP) new infographic, “Snapshot: Transgender in America,” gives a quick look at state-level laws and policies that impact the lives of transgender people and provides some key statistics on the challenges transgender people face. For example:
- Over half of states (32) either have predominantly hostile laws targeting transgender people (23 states) or low levels of legal equality for transgender people (9 states).
- Most states (28) lack state laws protecting transgender people from employment discrimination, although 78% of transgender employees report harassment, mistreatment, or discrimination on the job.
- Most states (29) lack laws protecting transgender students from bullying, though 75% of transgender students report feeling unsafe at school.
- Only 59% of transgender people have been able to update the gender marker on their driver’s license—and only 14 states and the District of Columbia makes it easy for transgender people to do so.
Download the infographic at www.lgbtmap.org/transgender-snapshot-graphic.
To read MAP’s summary analysis of issues facing transgender Americans and to find all of our publications on the disparities faced by transgender people, visit www.lgbtmap.org/transgender-people.
For a national snapshot of state policies affecting transgender people, visit www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps and click on any individual state or issue to learn more.
Follow #translives on Twitter to join the conversation.
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MAP’s mission is to provide independent and rigorous research, insight and communications that help speed equality and opportunity for all. MAP works to ensure that all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life.
