“The Report of the 2018 Southern Trans Health Focus Group Project” documents the findings of a community-based research project through which diverse transgender Southerners across six states shared in-depth accounts of their experiences related to health issues and accessing health care.

According to 2016 data published by the Williams Institute at the U.C.L.A. School of Law, approximately 500,000 transgender people live in the South. Nationally, data shows that approximately 25 percent of transgender people do not seek health care at all because of a fear of discrimination – but to date there has been remarkably limited research about the health experiences of transgender people in the South.

Many transgender Southerners report experiencing barriers in accessing basic services and in being treated with respect and dignity in medical settings.

Factors including race, age, and living in a rural community increase the likelihood that transgender Southerners will experience hostility or other significant barriers when seeking care.

Transgender Southerners report that having access to strong networks of peer support contribute to feeling empowered to seek health care and to advocate for their needs and rights in health care settings.

Recommended Citation: Johnson, A.H, I. Gibson-Hill, and J. Beach-Ferrara. 2018. ‘The Report of the 2018 Southern Trans Health Focus Group Project.” Campaign for Southern Equality: Asheville, NC.

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