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For Immediate Release: Largest Survey of Transgender Life in America Publishes Data in Texas
Posted on January 26, 2017 at 11:52 am

Contact: DeAnne Cuellar, deanne.cuellar@equalitytexas.org, 512-474-5475 

Largest Survey of Transgender Life in America Publishes Data in Texas
Alarming disparities between the transgender and general population across the U.S.

TEXAS — The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) today released state-specific data from the United States Transgender Survey (USTS). As the largest survey of transgender people ever conducted, the release included critical information on the experiences of over 27,000 transgender Americans from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. military bases overseas. The data revealed disturbing discrimination trends and a range of disparities between transgender people and the rest of the United States in areas such as violence, education, economic hardship, and health.

“In the face of dangerous legislation popping up in states all over the nation, our work to educate the public is more important than ever before,” stated Mara Keisling, executive director of NCTE. “Our survey speaks to what we already know: transgender people experience rampant discrimination and endure substantial obstacles to meeting their most fundamental needs. We hope this state-specific information will inspire policymakers on the local, state and federal levels to enact policies that improve lives, not make them worse.”

The USTS results showed that 59 percent of respondents avoided using a public restroom in the past year, due to fear of confrontation. Nearly one-third of the respondents went out of their way to limit consumption in order to avoid using the public restrooms. Even more disturbing are the results showing that transgender people of color are three times more likely to live in poverty. The rate rose further with respondents who reported health issues such as HIV.

The survey also highlights economic hardship respondents experienced, especially undocumented immigrants. Of the undocumented respondents, nearly half experienced homelessness, and about 24 percent had been physically attacked.

“Today more than ever, the transgender community is experiencing disproportionate acts of violence, it crucial for us to work together in community to keep these numbers updated. This survey was largest ever undertaken on trans lives in United States. This data shows us what has changed since the last report, and informs how we can better meet the needs of trans people,” said Lou Weaver, transgender programs coordinator for Equality Texas.

Texas Facts:

  • 34 percent of respondents living in Texas were living in poverty.
  • 73 percent of those who were out or perceived as transgender at some point between Kindergarten and Grade 12 (K–12) experienced some form of mistreatment.
  • 61 percent of respondents avoided using a public restroom in the past year because they were afraid of confrontations or other problems they might experience.

The full Texas state report can be found here. The full survey can be found at www.ustranssurvey.org, and additional information about NCTE’s efforts to win life-saving change for transgender people can be found at www.transequality.org.

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The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is the nation’s leading social justice policy advocacy organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people.

Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization dedicated solely to securing full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration.