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Review captures the challenges facing transgender people in Britain

The Equality and Human Rights Commission yesterday launched a new review of evidence that captures the experiences and challenges facing transgender people in Britain.

The Trans Research Review highlights that some transgender people experience transphobia including bullying and discriminatory treatment in schools, harassment and physical/sexual assault and rejection from families, work colleagues and friends.

Commission research in Wales found that almost half (45 per cent) of respondents would be unhappy if a close relative married or entered into a long-term relationship with a transgender person and a third felt that a transgender person would be unsuitable as a primary school teacher.

The review highlights significant gaps in knowledge about key areas of life for trans people and the need for improving policies and practices designed to reduce discrimination.

As part of the review, the Commission will: 

• work with key stakeholders in the public, voluntary and community sectors to tackle bullying, hostility and targeted violence experienced by trans people.
• produce guidance to help public bodies to review and revise their Gender Equality Schemes so that they are better informed about discrimination against transgender people and can better meet their legal obligation to eliminate it.
• produce guidance to help organisations in England, Scotland and Wales to meet their gender equality and human rights obligations in the provision of goods, facilities or services for their transgender users and potential use,

Ends

Download: Trans research review (PDF) 

See also: Trans inequalities reviewed

Notes to editors

• The telephone survey of 1,589 people aged 16 and over in Wales, with an ethnic minority boost, was undertaken by GfK NOP on behalf of the Commission between February and March 2008.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission. It is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act. It also gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.