Transgender Facts

Discrimination Nearly half of transgender employees experience discrimination or harassment in their workplaces; 88% of respondents said that ignorance of transgender issues was the biggest challenge they faced in employment; Transgender people highlight transitioning at work as one of the most significant triggers for discrimination.

Challenges Transgender people face persistent challenges in accessing public services; Transgender people say that they have suffered discrimination in accessing public services because of their transgender status; Transgender people say that they have experienced threats to their privacy (e.g. having one’s gender identity revealed at work without consent).

The Law It is unlawful to discriminate against someone if he or she: intends to undergo gender reassignment; is undergoing gender reassignment; has undergone gender reassignment. Legal protection begins from the time you make it known that you intend to undergo gender reassignment.

Attitudes Attitudes are changing and today we are a more diverse and fairer society. However, too many transgender people face discrimination or even violence because of who they are: Between 2009 and 2010, there was a 14% increase in transgender related hate crime – going up from 312 incidents to 357 incidents; In only two EU member states, gender identity or transphobic hate crime are explicitly addressed in hate crime legislation.

Data From April 2011, police forces have been required to collect data on transphobic hate crime A survey found that 48% of trans people under 26 said they had attempted suicide, and 30% said they had done so in the past year, while 59% said they had at least considered doing so.

Trans Mental Health Study 2012 30% of Trans people feel that there are negative attitudes towards them 61% have hidden their identity 72% percent felt that being Trans had an impact on the control they had over their lives 84% percent thought about ending their lives

Appropriate Questions Many transgender students are ready to accept answering questions. Some appropriate questions tutors may wish to ask transgender learners include: Which pronoun would you (student) prefer, he/she/they/them? What name do you need me (tutor) to help call you? Exactly what issues, if just about any, are you facing in the learning environment? Are there satisfactory facilities in college to meet your needs (e. g., toilets and changing rooms)?

Appropriate Questions When tutors ask questions to better understand issues transgender learners face, most transgender students are happy to answer the queries. However, it is critical that you cautiously monitor students’ level of comfort in answering queries and adjust their questions accordingly. Educating and sharing as a Trans individual can be intensely personal in addition to draining, therefore you should strive to make a mutual learning atmosphere.

Know your Learners Pastoral tutors/support workers have a natural desire to see all learners succeed and attain their highest potential. Transgender students face unique challenges. The more tutors and support workers know about the challenging transgender issues the more effective they can be in offering advice and guidance to transgender students. You should take time to get to know about transgender issues and pay attention to the students needs All of these strategies play an essential role in building a more accepting and welcoming learning environment for transgender students.