Trans Inequality: A Call to Action

Trans Inequality: A Call to Action

Equality is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. It involves ensuring everyone has the same opportunities to make the most of their lives and talents, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. As a society, we must strive to uphold these principles and work towards a future where all individuals, including trans and gender-diverse people, are treated with dignity and respect.

Despite the existence of legislation aimed at safeguarding trans human rights and fostering equality, the reality is stark. Trans and gender-diverse individuals continue to endure pervasive discrimination across various sectors of society, positioning us as one of the most marginalized groups in the nation. This is not a future concern but a pressing issue of our present.

Trans Inequality – Legislators:

Even though several countries have numerous trans legislators, such as Sarah McBride (US Congress), Petra De Sutter (Belgian Deputy Prime Minister) and Tamara Adrian (Venezuela Presidential Candidate) in the UK, we have failed to elect any trans MPs nor have any trans Peers been appointed. While the trans community in size is similar in size to the Jewish community, who have many representatives in both houses (as does the gay community), the lack of trans legislators is an indictment of transphobia in British society.

Tragically, this pattern of exclusion extends to Government Public Bodies, Arms Length Bodies, and even local administration, where trans individuals are consistently overlooked for key roles.

Trans Inequality – Crime:

In the UK, trans people are at twice the risk of being a victim of crime as cisgender people.

Trans Inequality – Hate Crime:

Regrettably, hate crimes against trans individuals have surged over the past five years, marking a staggering 186% increase. The decade leading up to 2022 saw a shocking 1466% rise in trans hate crimes, a trend that some evidence suggests is tied to the proliferation of trans-hostile articles in the right-wing media.

In 2020, Galop published its “Transphobic Hate Crime Report” – the statistics (which are now undoubtedly worse) concluded: 

In the last 12 months:

* 4 in 5 respondents had experienced a form of transphobic hate crime
* 1 in 4 had experienced transphobic physical assault or the threat of physical assault
* Nearly 1 in 5 had experienced transphobic sexual assault or the threat of sexual assault

Trans Inequality – Healthcare:

Many healthcare providers lack the necessary training on transgender health needs, leading to substandard or discriminatory care. Within the NHS, the process of accessing gender-affirming healthcare can take up to a decade. The need for comprehensive healthcare reform to address these issues is not just a suggestion but an urgent call to action. Our website contains numerous articles concerning adolescent and adult healthcare, including a response to the Cass Report and a Puberty Blocker position statement. 

Considerable misinformation about trans healthcare is in the public domain, this has been called out by Wikipedia saying:

“False and misleading claims about gender diversity, gender dysphoria, and gender-affirming healthcare have been used to legislatively restrict transgender people‘s healthcare.^[1][2] The claims have primarily relied on manufactured uncertainty generated by various conservative religious organisations pseudoscientific or discredited researchers, and anti-trans activists.”  

Trans Inequality – Workplace:

In June 2018, Crossland Employment Solicitors revealed a shocking statistic: ‘1 in 3 employers [surveyed] admitted they are ‘less likely’ to hire a transgender person and nearly half (43%) unsure if they would recruit a transgender worker.’ This blatant discrimination in the workplace is an apparent injustice.

Since 2018, particularly in the context of the escalating culture war against trans women, this figure has undoubtedly worsened. The personal cost of this discrimination is profound, with some trans individuals forced into sex work as a means of survival. This is not just a statistic but a human tragedy – trans people are considerably underrepresented in many workplace areas, such as journalism, board members and the civil service. 

Unison is just one of many unions that report that trans people are victims of humiliation, subjected to unwanted comments, ignored and excluded in the workplace. For instance, trans individuals have reported being misgendered, denied promotions, and even fired solely because of their gender identity. These are not isolated incidents but rather systemic issues that must be addressed.

Trans Inequality – Homelessness:

The homeless charity reports that 25% of the trans community experience homelessness at some point in their lives, and in September 2024, the UK Government published an extensive report on LGBT homelessness saying similar. Some of the comments included in the government report were heartbreaking – here are just two.

“My mum kicked me out, I told her I was trans and she kicked me out and said it’s a phase and stuff like that and said that she don’t want a tranny living in her house.” – Sarah, lesbian, transgender woman, 19, White British.

“I went to the local authority and I told them ‘I’m trans, I might be forced to be married off, I might be sent back home, I might be killed, I might be beaten, I might be locked away, I need you to support me, I need accommodation. This is a genuine case, this is actually happening to me’, but all I got was a piece of paper over the counter that says here’s a list for private renting.” – Xade, heterosexual, transgender man, 28, Pakistani Iranian

Trans Inequality – Legal Gender Recognition:

The process for obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) is seen as outdated and overly bureaucratic, requiring medical evidence and a statutory declaration. Many countries in Western Europe have adopted Legal Gender Recognition by Self-Determination.

TransLucent has produced a comprehensive Briefing Note regarding Gender Recognition Act Reform, demonstrating how far the UK is behind.