We all struggle to become comfortable in the skin we were born into; We all try to uncover an identity beneath what was assigned to us at birth An introduction to Transgender and gender variant discrimination within our communities. Judith Reichman, Transgender Program Coordinator, Florida Department of Health-Broward.

“ Physical Sex" refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women. “ Gender Identity ” refers to your personal sense of being a man or women, boy or girl “ Sexual Orientation ” person ’ s attraction, emotional, physical and romantic-to members of the same and/or opposite gender. ” Gender Expression ” visible aspects such as appearance, clothing, speech and behavior of a persons gender identity rather than birth sex.

An umbrella term for a person whose genitals, gender identity and/or gender expression expected or differing from the sex assigned at birth.  Gender Bender  Androgynous  Bi-Gendered  Gender Variant  Post Op,  Pre Op  Pansexual The “T” in GLBT Stands for Transgender

 1 st 360 degree picture in the U.S.  Over 7000 participants.  Transgender and gender non-conforming.  70 Questions.  6 months to complete.  50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands It is estimated that Between ¼ and 1% of the population (700,000) is transsexual. …. UCLA 2013

 EMPLOYMENT  55% Lost employment due to bias  Extreme Poverty : 4 times more likely to have household income of less than $10,000 as compared to general population.  HOUSING  19% experienced homelessness at some point  JAILS/CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS  37-65% have been incarcerated

 Few states have anti discrimination laws protecting. transgender individuals.* (18 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have statutes that protect against both sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment in the public and private sector.) *California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico  Low Income jobs Fired for coming out/transitioning. (26%) The regulation of LGBT employment discrimination in the United States varies by jurisdiction. Many, but far from all, states and localities prohibit bias in hiring, promotion, job assignment, termination, and compensation, as well as harassment on the basis of one's sexual orientation. Fewer extend those protections to cover sexual identity. At this time there is no federal statute addressing employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the public sector.

“ I was very excited when I got the job offer, because I would be making more money doing something I had experience in.” I put in notice to my employer of five years and counted down the days. Then the HR assistant at the new place called me. She said, ‘We thought you were a woman but you are not. The background report states you are a male, so you misrepresented yourself.’ National Center for Transgender Equality/National Gay and Lesbian Task Force -2010

 Few states have anti discrimination laws explicitly prohibiting both gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination in housing (18 states and the District of Columbia) California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington  Little if any transitional housing. (42% forced to stay in facilities designated for wrong gender) Homeless Shelters-42%, Rhode Island, Vermont, Approximately 20 states, and the District of Columbia, and over 60 cities, towns and counties across the nation have additional protections that specifically prohibit such discrimination against LGBT individuals. however,…. Gender identity and sexual orientation are not specifically included among the Fair Housing Act's protected categories. (2014 Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc)

 “I am now being evicted from the garage I have been living in the last several months, and in parting fashion, this afternoon I was informed that I have been denied access to renting a two-decade old mobile home, the only place I could find with my limited income” National Center for Transgender Equality/National Gay and Lesbian Task Force -2010

 Homeless Shelters  Most cases based on birth sex.  Lack of gender specific medical treatment  Lack of appropriate Jail release housing.  Insufficient drug and Rehab Facilities/ programs. ( In most cases respondents were forced to stay in facilities while incarcerated and upon release designated for the wrong gender) In June 2012, the federal Department of Justice enacted regulations pursuant to the Prison Rape Elimination Act that require determination of appropriate housing for transgender inmates on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors like personal preference and safety needs, not solely based on their genitals

“ I was arrested one day regarding something minor. Due to my gender marked as male, I was put in with the men. Within 15 minutes, I was raped by 3 different men. My mother even called and warned the officers NOT to put me in with the general population as I would be an easy target. When I got out I tried to seek help from Victims Services but was denied. I was also discouraged from trying to press charges on the men” National Center for Transgender Equality/National Gay and Lesbian Task Force -2010

Actual Quotes used were taken from various survey responses provided by individuals across the nation. In respect to confidentiality disclosure of name and location is not available. These statements have been used to reflect the effects of discrimination within the transgender and gender variant communities.