The early insights gleaned from the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey (USTS) have been released after surveying 92,329 people, and they show just how much of an impact gender-affirming care can have.
Since the environment of transgender rights and support for those rights has changed so much since 2015, the 2022 version of the USTS, which was last completed in 2015, was conducted to provide more up-to-date research. The Black Trans Advocacy Conference (BTAC), TransLatin@ Coalition, and National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance collaborated with the National Center for Transgender Equality to conduct the survey.
Scientists polled individuals 16 years of age and older in 2022, including responses from all 50 U.S. states and numerous U.S. territories. Only those 18 and older were included in the initial 2015 review, but it was expanded to encompass a wider range of trans experiences in 2022, particularly trans youth experiences. The latest USTS survey is now being conducted by the most recent survey.
The National Center for Transgender Equality’s executive director, Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, stated that although the original plan called for it to be carried out in five-year intervals, he was aware that they would not be able to do the best engagement during that time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The opportunity of gender-affirming treatment includes some of the survey’s most significant findings from 2022. 94% of respondents who had transitioned at some point in their lives said they were happier with their circumstances. 97% of people who had gender-affirming surgery and 98% of those who were currently receiving hormones for transition both reported feeling more content.
Heng-Lehtinen noted that the large number of respondents who reported greater life satisfaction with gender-affirming hormone treatment and/or surgery stood out to him when examining the survey’s responses.
He said, “It demonstrates the power of authenticity.” There is no substitute for being able to survive your true home every day, and this is still true even when you are subjected to prejudice. It’s amazing that people still say, “But my life is also better for having come out of the closet,” despite the fact that no one should have to deal with prejudice because of who they are.
More than one-third, or 34%, of respondents in life outside of the gender transition were living in poverty, and 30% had lived in homelessness at some point in their lives. 11% of respondents who had ever held a job had lost it in some way because of their gender identity, while 18% were unemployed. 47% of respondents said they would feel uneasy asking police or law enforcement for assistance if they needed it.
The study also brought to light the nation’s depressing anti-trans regulations. 47% of respondents—nearly half—stated that the way their state government treated trans people had them considering moving to another state. 5% had in fact relocated.
Statistical breakdown information, such as data on racial and geographic diversity in particular communities, will be included in the final report. Carter Brown, senior producer of BTAC, noticed this.
Despite the improvements in consciousness and advocacy, that is absolutely crucial, underscoring the terrible experiences, he said. “Systemic bias in different facets of life continues to exist in our society, particularly the Black, trans, and intersex communities.”
With BTAC based just outside of Dallas, the firm is familiar with the Texas state government’s increased attacks on transgender people. Brown noted that Texas was one of the most prominent states that people left during the USTS’s first insights.
“I believe that having the Texas report especially will also demonstrate that there is a pressing need for political support against anti-trans policy in Texas and throughout the south generally,” he said. It’s critical that the policymakers in Texas recognize the humanity and rights of all people, regardless of gender identity, as it has disproportionately affected Black transgender and intersex people.
Heng-Lehtinen claims that the complete survey results, including demographic breakdowns, will be made public later in the year.
Check out ustranssurvey.com.
