Transgender discrimination

Storified by AJAMStream· Tue, Sep 10 2013 12:43:19

A woman named Islan Nettles was attacked near her childhood home in Harlem, NY on August 17 after a group of men discovered she was transgender. Following almost a week in a coma, she was taken off life-support. Islan's story highlights a common issue facing transgender persons- violence and harassment.

Accused Killer of Harlem Trans Woman Islan Nettles is Walking Free on $2000 Bail - NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/09/nyregion/embarking-on-a-new-life-transgender-woman-has-it-brutally-taken.html?pagewanted%3Dall http://twitter.com/TransNewsWire/status/376921694088073216/photo/1twitter.com

Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression, or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.apa.org

According to a 2011 survey of 6,450 transgender people, 61% have been a victim of a physical assault. But the discrimination they face is not limited to assault; it pervades all areas of society, and starts early.

Data courtesy of the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Forceajamstream

Via the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Forceajamstream

#WhyDoBlackPeople who are transgender have double the (high) unemployment rate of white trans ppl? http://www.basicrights.org/news/trans-justice-news/new-studies-examine-violence-directed-at-transgender-people-of-color/Jane Doe, MD

And once at work, the discrimination continues.

Data via the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Forceajamstream

As of last year, the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) no longer classifies transgender as a mental disorder. Despite some progress in healthcare policies, it is still legal in certain states for doctors, or hospitals, to refuse medical treatment to a person due to their gender identity or expression.

Data via the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Forceajamstream

Some netizens started the #transdocfail campaign to document the abuse of transgender people by health workers.

Went to my GP presenting as female, asked to change my records, even now they still refer to me as male... #TransDocFailsarah savage

My GP was, at first, supportive. Then called me a 'pretty young lady' during a chest exam - despite my top surgery. #TransDocFailCN Lester

was called a "shemale" by the gender specialist psychotherapist pre-GIS referral #TransDocFailJessica Wardman

The survey data also shows inequality is prevalent in housing.

Data courtesy of the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Forceajamstream

So, where does the transgender community feel openly welcome? While some point to the LGBTQ movements as inclusive and fighting for transgender rights, others do not agree.

@AJAMStream Mainstream focus on marriage, benefits leaves homeless lbgqt youth, anti-trans hate crimes, other issues out in the cold.s.e. smith

@AJAMStream Trans ppl are def. overlooked, & major orgzns like @HRC *actively* exclude them, not just ignore them – this is well-documentedShereen ◆ شيرين شفيع

One common critique of transgender exclusion from LGBTQ movements is the decades-long failure to include gender identity protections in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Earlier this summer, however, a Senate committee made history when it approved a trans-inclusive version of ENDA.

@AJAMStream No, but an important start. #LGBT community is united. Congress should support workplace fairness and pass ENDA now.Brian Sininger

@ajamstream Also wouldn't hurt if trans people were included more often within the mainstream feminist & gay right groups. #transrightsblacknerdity

One transgender woman uses Twitter to educate and raise awareness for the transgender community. Recently, she shared the details of her assault on Twitter. Her tweets reveal additional structural inequalities that affect the transgender community.

Still processing feelings about being grabbed last night. It was very triggering on several levels.Sophia Banks

@sophiaphotos is it worth filing assault charges? if he's stupid enough to do that, he might have previous.Katherine Chant

(In the below tweet, SRS refers to sex reassignment surgery)

Here I am today considering full on SRS b/c I am worried another man might attack me + if I fight back I may end up in a mens prison.Sophia Banks

B/c I cant afford to change the name on my ID I still have to sign contracts with clients under my old name.Sophia Banks

@queermusicdude @sophiaphotos I won't ever get my birth certificate changed since NJ requires surgery.GenderTerror.com