Increasing Advocacy, Awareness and Suppor eness and Support for T t for Transgender ansgender Individuals
Many who are gender non-conforming, identify as transgender, or both, experience oppression and discrimination that can cause significant mental health concerns, They can experience turmoil on many levels, as one’s identity is constantly challenged by society and, in this case, has been challenged since the beginning of their personal gender identification. Cisgender people, those who identify with the gender they were assigned at birth, are not impacted by gender discrimination the way transgender people are. Being transgender challenges social norms, which can make people who do not fit society’s expectation of gender vulnerable to discrimination and violence (TVTP, 2014). Staggering numbers of people who are transgender find it almost impossible to secure jobs, much less develop into professionals, and find themselves experiencing the harsh realities of living in poverty or being homeless (National Center for Transgender Equality and The Task Force, 2011).
We will arrange awareness program and inviting Psychologist to give guidence to the Transgender people. and will provide best guidance.
Definitions and Terms:
Transgender. Best practice with transgender people requires understanding the individuals that make up this intricate population. To begin, language is a huge part of the understanding, advocacy for, and support of the transgender community.Transgender is the “T” in the initialism LGBT, standing for lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender. defines transgender as “the broad spectrum of individuals who transiently or persistently identify with a gender different from their natal gender” (p.451). The distinction of gender determined at birth is referred to as “gender assignment” and can also be called “natal gender” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is an organization, with history back to 1985, that “tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change and protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love” (GLAAD, 2014, About GLAAD, para. 5). GLAAD defines transgender as an adjective, meaning, “An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth.
THOUGHTS OF FUTURE RESEARCH
1- Population: Only estimates can be given for the population of transgender individuals. While researchers have attempted to give more precise numbers of transgender adults, the data surveys including information about transgender people are very rare (Gates, 2011). Not only do surveys need to be inclusive enough to encompass transgender respondents, it would be beneficial to include their preferred gender identity.
2-Discrimination and violence: Not identifying as male or female challenges the traditional gender dichotomy and the fundamental societal norms, which leaves transgender people susceptible to numerous areas of discrimination and oppression (Burdge, 2007). Transgender people experience extreme levels of discrimination and violence (GLAAD, 2014) and are 400 times more likely to be victims of violence then the general population (TVTP, 2014). Research by Lombardi et al. (2001) found that over half the people they ADVOCACY FOR TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS 13 interviewed have experienced harassment or violence and twenty-five percent of their research population had experienced a violent incident. Discrimination is experienced in all areas of their lives with the most being faced in health care and employment (Transequality.org, 2014). The lack of knowledge regarding the health needs of transgender people limits the inclusion of the transgender community in the United States health care agenda and makes it difficult to respond to and support the significant mental health needs of transgender individuals (Coron, Scott, Sterling Stowell, & Landers 2012). According to Injustice at Every Turn, a report by the National Center for Transgender Equality and The Task Force (2011), 41% of those who identify as transgender who took the survey reported they had attempted suicide while only 1.6% of the general population reports suicide attempts. The most recent statistics show that significant percentages of transgender individuals are dealing with addiction to drugs and/or alcohol due to the stress caused from constant battles with discrimination and stigma from society (Hunt, 2012).
3.Employment: Staggering numbers of transgender people find it very difficult to secure jobs, much less develop professionally, and also may experience the harsh and devastating realities of living in poverty or being homeless (Kenagy & Hsieh, 2005). The National Center for Transgender Equality and The Task Force (2011), reports “90% of transgender people report experiencing harassment, mistreatment or discrimination on the job” (p.2). A transgender person is four times more likely than the general population to experience poverty, with twice as high the national rates of unemployment .
4. Police support.: Transgender people experience discrimination from society as well as police. Of those who responded to the Injustice at Every Turn Survey, 22% reported experiencing harassment by police, and those who were both transgender and people of color reported much higher rates of police discrimination (National Center for Transgender Equality and The Task Force, 2011).
5. Lack of Training and Resources for Clinicians: There are very few mental health professionals specializing in caring for the LGBT community (Burdge, 2007). Social service providers must increase attention, care and advocacy for the transgender community (Bess & Stabb, 2009; Burdge, 2007). There is also a lack of resources for practitioners who want to educate themselves on the needs and common challenges the transgender community experiences.
6. Practitioner knowledge and awareness. Before the topics and questions can be asked to gain information, a researcher must first make sure they are conducting their work in the best interest of the transgender community. “Effective social work with transgendered clients requires a high level of cultural competence, skills to create change at all levels, and sophisticated theoretical frameworks for understanding gender and gender-based oppression” (Burdge, 2007, p. 244). It is important for both clinicians who identify and do not identify as transgender and/or gay, lesbian and bisexual do the work of self examination necessary to be professional in their work with people who identify as LGBT (Gerig & Green, 2014; National LGBT Health Education Center, 2014). In order to be educated and address any personal prejudice, practitioners must examine any possible stereotypes, homophobia, heterosexism, and prejudices they may hold.
7.Practitioner sexuality and gender identity: Research by Rutherford et al. (2012) showed there are both benefits and drawbacks to providers being LGBT identified. Practitioners who are part of the LGBT community can easily create a safe space by having similar experiences to their clients but the experience of a therapist who is a lesbian does not naturally have the personal insight into the life of a transgender man (Rutherford et al., 2012). LGBT-identified providers must make sure not to assume their experiences to be too similar to their clients. It can be helpful for non-LGBT clinicians to think of themselves as an ally for the LGBT community (Rutherford et al., 2012). They can work to support and advocate for the rights of those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or identify as transgender. GLAAD gives tips for those desiring to be an ally to transgender individuals.
8.Trans-affirming practitioners.: To expand the practice of clinicians who are trans-affirming, the qualities that make them trans-affirming must be researched and understood (Burdge, 2007). Multiple factors are important when claiming to be a trans-affirming practitioner. Work must be done to establish alliances with the transgender community and acknowledge, “there is much to learn from the transgender community about courage, resilience, authenticity, and social justice”
9. Human Research Protection:Prior to the interview, the consent form was reviewed with the respondent(s) (see Appendix B). Safeguards were in place to protect all interviewees. They were ADVOCACY FOR TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS 24 assured of confidentiality and that the only people with access to the transcript were the researcher and chair of research.
10-Mental health and diagnosis. Several of the respondents noted mental illness including depression and anxiety being a difficulty many transgender people frequently deal with. With the lack of housing and employment opportunities poverty is higher among the transgender population, which contributes to the elevated number ADVOCACY FOR TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS 37 of people suffering from mental illness. Many transgender people have experienced trauma and with lack of support services or knowledge about places that do offer help many people go on with no help or resources. One respondent reflected.