On March 31, 2024, the Tahirih Justice Center recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to uplift and celebrate the trans community and recognize the ongoing violence, discrimination, and hate faced by trans people, particularly Black and Brown trans people.
Gender-based violence includes violence against trans and non-binary people for defying traditional gender norms as well as structural gender inequalities impacting their ability to live full and empowered lives. Many of Tahirih’s trans clients have fled persecution in their countries of origin, only to face additional gender-based violence during their journeys to the United States and as they navigate life in the United States. According to the UCLA Williams Institute, there are approximately 267,000 undocumented LGBTQ immigrants in the US, with an estimate that between 15,000 and 50,000 of these individuals are transgender. The actual number may be higher because many transgender people may be reluctant to identify themselves as transgender for a variety of reasons. Among an already marginalized community, the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey showed that undocumented transgender people face higher risks of discrimination and violence in employment, housing, health care, when seeking services, and even in their own home. Tahirih served 11 trans clients in 2023.
Anti-trans rhetoric in the United States has led to an epidemic of violence against trans and gender-nonconforming people, with the number of hate crimes based on gender identity rising by over 32% from 2021 to 2022. Advocating for the end of gender-based violence must include unequivocally speaking out and fighting back against anti-trans words and actions.
In 2024, the queer and trans community mourns the recent loss of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary and trans student who was a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Trans and non-binary youth, including those who have immigrated to the United States, deserve safe and joyful futures.
Tahirih stands in solidarity with the trans community, commits to support the movement to defend trans lives, and continues the fight for a world where no one experiences violence because of their gender.
References:
UCLA Williams Institute, “LGBT Adult Immigrants in the United States,” February 2021. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/lgbt-immigrants-in-the-us/
National Center for Transgender Equality, “2015 U.S. Transgender Survey,” https://transequality.org/issues/us-transgender-survey
