New Report Uncovers Rampent Discrimination Against Transgender People In Healthcare.

By David Mixner-

    In a startling report, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and The National Center for Transgender Equality have uncovered extensive discrimination facing Transgender people in the healthcare system. This includes being denied treatment, humiliation and lack of education among medical personnel. The consequences of these conditions are horrendous as statistics illustrate the increased liklihood of illness in the community.

from the study-
    "Access to health care is a fundamental human right that is regularly denied to transgender and gender non-conforming people. Transgender and gender non-conforming people frequently experience discrimination when accessing health care, from disrespect and harassment to violence and outright denial of service.  Participants in our study reported barriers to care whether seeking preventive medicine, routine and emergency care, or transgender-related services.  These realities, combined with widespread provider ignorance about the health needs of transgender and gender non-conforming people, deter them from seeking and receiving quality health care. Our data consistently show that racial bias presents a significant, additional risk of discrimination for transgender and gender non-conforming people of color in virtually every major area of the study, making their health care access and outcomes dramatically worse."

   Here are some of the key findings of the report and read the entire report by clicking here: 

- Nearly 1 in 5 (19 percent) reported being refused care outright because they were transgender or gender non-conforming.

- Survey participants reported very high levels of postponing medical care when sick or injured due to discrimination and disrespect (28 percent). 

- Harassment: 28 percent of respondents were subjected to harassment in medical settings.

- Significant lack of provider knowledge: 50 percent of the sample reported having to teach their medical providers about transgender care.

- Despite barriers, the majority has accessed some form of transition-related medical care, but only a minority has had any surgery, despite the fact that a strong majority stated wanting to have it someday. 

- Respondents reported more than four times the national average of HIV infection, 2.64 percent in our sample compared to 0.6 percent in the general population, with rates for transgender women at 3.76 percent, and with those who are unemployed (4.67 percent) or who have engaged in sex work (15.32 percent) even higher. 

- Over a quarter of the respondents reported misusing drugs or alcohol specifically to cope with the discrimination they faced due to their gender identity or expression.

- A staggering 41 percent of respondents reported attempting suicide compared to 1.6 percent of the general population. 

   Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality said about the report:

    “Health care is a fundamental human right. This study clearly documents that it is regularly being denied to transgender and gender non-conforming people,” says Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. “The study also provides information about the serious health impact of the discrimination that transgender people face. The health risks are many times higher for people of color, for those who have lost a job due to bias, and those who were bullied in school.”

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