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Study reveals striking hardships for transgender Coloradans

Study reveals striking hardships for transgender Coloradans

Transgender and gender-nonconforming people still face daily struggles with discrimination, with 77 percent of trans Coloradans reporting mistreatment at the workplace, says a comprehensive national survey conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality.

The study, Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, showed overwhelming inequality in the educational system, the workplace, housing, followed by discrimination in the healthcare field so severe that almost a fifth of those surveyed nationally reported being refused medical care. In addition, harassment was higher in every category for transgender people of color.

“We’re pretty familiar with the extent of discrimination and how harsh it’s been for people,” said Karen Scarpella, Executive Director at the Gender Identity Center of Colorado. “People who aren’t intimately working with the community or experiencing it themselves are shocked by it. We who are in the business are not.”

The GICC, along with the One Colorado Education Fund, released how the national findings directly affect trans Coloradans. In addition to the 77 percent of those surveyed in Colorado reporting workplace harassment and mistreatment, 32 percent reported losing jobs and 24 percent reported being denied promotions because they were trans. Almost half believed they had been skipped over in hiring decisions based on gender identity or expression.

The survey found found trans Coloradoans reported high rates of discrimination and victimization in the workplace.

“When we’re talking about discrimination, our mission really is to put ourselves out of business here at the Gender Identity Center,” said Scarpella. “The problem is that transphobia is really the cause of discrimination. People are afraid of anything they don’t understand, so it’s easier for them just to dismiss, marginalize and oppress people.”

The GICC has been working since 1978 to assist trans Coloradans by providing a host of supportive programs. “Our mission really is two-fold,” said Scarpella. “One is to help people who are suffering under these oppressive circumstances by providing direct services.” From counseling sessions to social services to pet therapy, the GICC works hard to provide the tools essential to empower and ensure a safe and successful transition.

The second aim of the GICC is education. “Our goal is to eradicate this problem of discrimination, and that’s by getting people information.” For more than three decades, the GICC has been talking to employers of transitioning employees, going into churches to clarify and dispel any misinformation, providing lectures and panels at universities, and fielding calls from social service care providers in order to dismantle the misunderstanding and fear often wrongly associated with transgender people.

But despite the hard work of the GICC, the survey revealed there is still much to be done in Colorado. The high levels of discrimination at the workplace lead to high levels of poverty, with 15 percent of transgender respondents living on $10,000 dollars or less a year – compared to only 4 percent of the general population.

“People come into the [GICC] center and they are hungry,” said Scarpella, adding that some people who are seeking assistance don’t have enough money for bus fare. The GICC offers web services such as Skype, Google Talk and instant messaging to connect those who can’t afford transportation to the GICC.

Perhaps the most disquieting finding was that 47 percent of those surveyed reported they had attempted suicide.

Scarpella pointed out that the percentages might be even higher than what’s reflected in the survey, as some might refuse to participate for fear of being associated with the organizations conducting the study.

“The exact numbers and percentages are not as relevant as the message that trans folks are marginalized and discriminated against in ways that most of us do not have to consider,” she added.

But these difficulties are not insurmountable. The study also revealed that, despite the high levels of discrimination and harassment, more than three-fourths reported feeling more comfortable at work after transitioning.

“We’ve really had a lot of great success with people transitioning, keeping their jobs, staying connected to their families, and feeling a whole lot better about themselves,” Scarpella said. She went on to state that feeling afraid makes sense considering the overwhelming amount of stigma. “However, we have people everyday who come in through the door, who call us, who instant message us and end up feeling better about themselves. They find out they are not alone, and that actually there’s a good life ahead for them.”

The infrastructure and support necessary to assist trans Coloradans exists only with the help of volunteers and donations. “It will take participation and commitment from all people, trans and allies, to change the world regarding transgender quality of life in our society. Education, advocacy, and participation are the keys to change,” said Scarpella.

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