Individuals from the LGBTQ+ community in the US perceive that transgender individuals experience lower social acceptance compared to their lesbian, gay, and bisexual counterparts. A poll conducted by the Pew Research Center has confirmed this sentiment.
The survey indicated that around 60% of LGBTQ+ respondents believe that there is a “significant amount” of acceptance for gay and lesbian individuals in the United States. In contrast, only about 10% expressed the same for non-binary and transgender people, with nearly half stating that transgender individuals are viewed as “not very” or completely unacceptable.
Jovony Santiago, a 39-year-old transgender man from northeast Ohio who did not participate in the study, has observed a decline in acceptance for transgender individuals over recent years. He noted issues such as care for transgender minors, regulations in schools, public restroom access for transgender individuals, and participation in sports as areas of concern.
Santiago remarked that he has witnessed a worsening of acceptance nationwide as several regions have implemented restrictive measures.
“There appears to be an extraordinary level of ignorance and animosity, particularly towards transgender people,” Santiago said. “However, unfortunately, this reflects a disturbing trend across the country.”
Despite the current climate, Santiago expressed that he does not feel unsafe personally, a perspective that contrasts with many transgender individuals who have reported fear for their safety.
Running a nonprofit that supports transgender youth, Santiago highlighted that a survey of 3,959 LGBTQ+ adults conducted in January, following the election of President Donald Trump, revealed a set of policies questioning the very existence of transgender individuals. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order urging the government to define people strictly as men or women based on “biological truths” and disregarding scientific understandings of gender as a spectrum. This set off a series of actions, including expelling transgender service members from the military and attempts to restrict transgender women and girls from participating in sports, along with blocking federal funds for gender maintenance care for transgender individuals under 19 years old, among various other orders.
An opinion poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in May revealed that about half of adults approve of Trump’s actions regarding transgender issues.
According to the Pew poll, approximately two-thirds of LGBTQ+ adults expressed that the US Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage a decade ago increased acceptance for same-sex couples. The Supreme Court is anticipated to rule on significant transgender-related cases in the near future, including Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
Transgender individuals are less likely than gay and lesbian adults to report acceptance within their families. Most LGBTQ+ individuals feel accepted by their siblings and friends, with slightly higher rates among gay and lesbian individuals. About half of gay and lesbian respondents reported parental acceptance, compared to roughly one-third of transgender individuals. Only 10% of transgender respondents reported feeling accepted by extended family, compared to about 30% of gay and lesbian individuals.
Transgender individuals are more inclined to describe themselves as “very” or “somewhat” accepted within the broader LGBTQ+ community than their gay, lesbian, or bisexual peers and are more likely to say that most of their friends belong to the LGBTQ+ community.
Some experiences resonate across identities; about one-third of both transgender and gay/lesbian individuals felt they were part of the LGBTQ+ community by the age of 13.
Aubrey Campos, a 41-year-old who operates a taco truck near an LGBTQ+ bar in Fort Worth, Texas, and also acts as a community organizer, shared that her parents were supportive when she came out as transgender around age 12. However, she notes that the young transgender individuals she works with often have vastly different experiences.
“The times are a bit darker now,” she said. “This is our moment to unite, uplift one another, and show that we’re not going anywhere.”
Source: apnews.com