Transgender Discrimination In The United States

Transgender is when the body you are born into does not match the biological sex you are born with. The cause of being transgender is still unknown, but biologically it has been proven that there are differences between transgender people and those whose gender identity match their biological sex. In the first eight weeks of pregnancy all fetuses look the same until testosterone surges come along. It is possible that this surge of testosterone, or the lack thereof, could play a role in gender identity (Goldberg and Adriano.) The lack of public knowledge leads to confusion and insensitivity towards the transgender community. This grey area is apparent in the business world, the legal system, and everyday lives have an impact of the experience

of transgender men and women across the country. In the United States, transgender Americans face issues that the rest of the population does not struggle with on a daily basis such as discrimination, a high declining mental health rate and the debate on transitioning .

Transgender people often face problems finding or keeping a job, which lead to financial difficulties. Holes in the legal system often leave transgender people vulnerable to discrimination. Title VII is the anti-discrimination federal law that protects against discrimination. However, Title VII is only applicable to discrimination at the workplace (Kozlowski). Companies do not have the right to deny or end an employment because of gender. Eastern Airlines was sued for firing a transexual female. A statement from Eastern says, “[I]f Eastern did discriminate against Ulane, it was not because she is female, but because Ulane is a transsexual—a

biological male who takes female hormones, cross-dresses, and has surgically altered parts of her body to make it appear to be female” (Levasseur 973). There are no federal laws banning discrimination on gender identity or expression. Currently transgender Americans can not enlist in the military, one of many restrictions that set transgender people apart from the rest of society. The US Census Bureau surveyed the transgender community, and 26% said they had lost a job due to being transgender (Estimated Populations). This is one explanation for high poverty rate among the transgender community. “Individuals who identified as transgender and non gender conforming- were four times more likely to have a household income of less than $10,000 a year” ( Levasseur 949). Often sex reassignment surgeries and hormones are not covered by health insurance (Sex Reassignment Surgery is Medical Necessity). The combination of job discrimination and lack of coverage leave many people in the transgender community with monetary issues.
There is confusion among the public of what it means to be transgender. This misunderstanding can often lead to insensitivity. This confusion applies to the parents of transgender children as well. Many parents feel conflicted about how they accepting they should be of their child’s wish to be the opposite gender. When Donisha McShan was sent to prison she explained she is a transgender female, yet was sent to a male-only unit. She was not allowed to have anything “feminine” and was referred to as “he” (Levasseur 945). This would be unheard of for a “biological” female. Mundane events such as using a public restroom can turn into a terrible experience for those who are transgender. A sense of conformity is wanted in restrooms by the public, and transgender people often feel this when they are questioned or are not allowed into the bathroom that matches their gender identity . “In April 2015, the EEOC ruled that a transgender employee cannot be denied access to the common restrooms used by other employees of the same gender identity, regardless of whether that employee has had any medical procedure or whether other employees may have negative reactions to allowing the employee to do so” ( Kozlowski). When attending a male weight training class at Pittsburgh University, a transgender male was asked to use a specific locker room, normally set aside for referees (Kozlowski). Not allowing him to use the men's’ restrooms is discrimination. OSHA released a guide for restrooms advising companies to allow transgender and transitioning people into the restrooms matching their gender identities (Kozlowski). Guidelines for public restrooms are proof of the public’s confusion toward transgenders.
The mental health rate among the transgender community is declining.

Parents of transgender children describe their children as “depressed” and “suicidal”, especially at the onset of puberty (Riley). It is not uncommon for transgender children to grow up hating their bodies, which often has destructive consequences (Goldberg and Adriano ). The suicide and self harm rate are much higher among transgender children than those who are not. Compared to the rest of the population the attempted suicide rate is much higher. When surveyed, 41% of the transgenders asked reported attempting suicide as compared to the non transgendered people at 1.6% (Levasseur 949). For many transgender Americans,living a double live is a reality. They are only accepted as their gender identity at home and are forced to act as their biological gender in public, for example( Linthicum). This pressure can lead to stress. John Blosnich and his researchers concluded that transgender veterans living in more accepting and informed areas produced more mentally stable veterans. An educated public closes the gap between the transgender community and the rest of socitey. Defining sex can leave transgender people feeling excluded from everyday activities. It is evident that we have clear cut definitions of what it means to be a girl or boy. From the day a baby is born parents they are surrounded by pink or blue. Transgender people do not match this societal definition of gender, leaving harmful

feelings and a sense of unbelonging. Transgender is not a new concept. Throughout history there have been several cultures with a third gender, or gender neutral (Riley). The definition of what it means to be a girl or boy to the public has a major affect on a transgender person’s self image. Participating in a dance recital a young transgender girl was simply not allowed to wear a tutu like the other girls (Goldberg and Adriano ) When surveyed, transgender children explained that when schools do not teach about transgender and other gender identity disorders they often are bullied. The kids explain that the other children are not taught what it means to be transgender, and they are an oddity in the eyes of the children (Riley). Adequate sex education reduces the bullying, and not addressing transgender people is a way of justifying discrimination. rest of the nation.

Transgender people are often set aside from society. Some see being transgender as a mental illness or a choice. This disconnect further subordinates the transgender community.
The decision of whether or not to get sex reassignment surgeries is a debated discussion among Americans among those in the community and those who are not. Not all transgender people decide in favor of the surgeries and many people think they are a waste of resources and time. This can lead to uncomfortable questioning from the public about the bodies of transgender people. I (Levasseur 949). Jack Drusher and Jack Pula, two New York psychologists, warn that only a small percentage of transgender children grow up to be transgender adults and surgeries may lead to future regret. In some states, to be considered their gender identity a transgender person must have had the surgeries to be legally be considered their gender. Even then there are some restrictions on changing birth certificates in certain areas making difficult to obtain their desired gender. (Levasseur 961). The decision of whether or not to have a surgery is personal, and these standards to change birth certificates can lead to rude and insensitive questions about the bodies of transgender people that would be unimaginable for someone who is not. Transgender people who do get the surgeries often benefit psychologically. These surgeries can include the reconstruction of genitals and mastectomies or inserting prosthetic breasts. These surgeries not high risk and have been proven effective (Sex Reassignment Surgeries are a Medical Nesscaity).
The transgender community is currently below the rest of the public. The lack of laws protecting transgender people leave them susceptible to discrimination in the workplace and in the general public, a disadvantage that the non-transgender people do not feel. Bans on transgender military service and poor sex education further stigmatize the community and make seem like outsiders among the public. This isolation can lead to self harm, suicide and depression. Sex reassignment surgeries have proven to be safe and physiological benefits to those who choose to receive them. Understanding and identifying the discrimination and obstacles that transgender people deal with on a daily basis is key to transgender equality. Day-to-day activities are a challenge for the transgender community.