November, 19 2010, 08:45am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
1050 Connecticut Ave NW,Suite 65500,Washington, DC 20035,Phone: 202-393-5177
Task Force Commemorates the Transgender Day of Remembrance
WASHINGTON
Tomorrow marks the 12th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance,
memorializing those lost to anti-transgender violence over the past
year. The Task Force honors the memory of transgender people killed
nationally and internationally in 2010. For more information, including a
list of related events, visit www.transgenderdor.org.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for
Transgender Equality conducted the largest survey of transgender
discrimination. Among its findings were one quarter of transgender
people lost a job for being transgender and high rates of housing
instability and homelessness. The survey also revealed double the rates
of poverty for transgender people compared to the general population.
The data indicate that transgender people have higher vulnerability to
violence. It also found that more than half of transgender and gender
non-conforming people who were bullied, harassed or assaulted in school
because of their gender identity have attempted suicide.
The Task Force worked to change the federal hate crimes law to
include anti-transgender crimes. In October 2009, violent hate crimes
committed on the basis of gender identity along with sexual orientation
became federal crimes under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate
Crimes Prevention Act, passed by Congress and signed by President
Obama.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"The Task Force family joins in the solemn remembrance of those lost
to anti-transgender violence. Our forthcoming report on transgender
discrimination spotlights just how pervasive discrimination and bias
continue to be for transgender and gender non-conforming people. The
personal stories and the shocking and disheartening numbers speak to the
urgency of working to end the violence against our community. How many
must perish before our society says enough is enough? This must end now,
and we must continue working toward a culture that affirms the dignity
and worth of all people. Until no more of our transgender friends and
family are lost to senseless hate violence, we must not rest."
Some findings from the national transgender discrimination survey can be downloaded here:
- Report reveals discrimination against transgender people by health providers, high HIV rates, lack of access to necessary care. Download here.
- Preliminary findings on employment and economic insecurity. Download here.
- High rates of bullying, suicide attempts among transgender and gender non-conforming people. Download here.
The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people. We are building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we've made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights. These barriers must go. That's why the Task Force is training and mobilizing millions of activists across our nation to deliver a world where you can be you. Join us!
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