We live in an age of unprecedented visibility for transgender people — Americans count several trans people, including several trans women of color, among the celebs we know by name. But the experience of women like Laverne Cox and Janet Mock still differs greatly from the transgender population as a whole.
Today, trans people of color still face violence and discrimination at alarming rates. To raise awareness and try to change this reality, the Black Lives Matter Movement declared today #TransLiberationTuesday, with hashtags like #BlackTransLivesMatter circulating on Twitter and protests in at least seven major cities.
Here are seven eye-opening numbers about the challenges faced by this community. Because — even in times of progress — it's important to take stock of the work that still needs to be done.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
17: The number of trans women who have been killed in 2015 alone, as reported by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence — three were killed just this week. These murders happened throughout the U.S., from New Orleans to San Francisco to Philadelphia, and many remain unsolved.
Their names are Papi Edwards, Lamia Beard, Ty Underwood, Yazmin Vash Payne, Taja Gabrielle DeJesus, Penny Proud, Kristina Grant Infiniti, London Chanel, Mercedes Williamson, Ashton O'Hara, Amber Monroe, India Clarke, K.C. Haggard, Shade Schuler, Kandis Capri, Elisha Walker, and Tamara Dominguez.
15: The number of those victims who were women of color. That's more than 88% of all victims.
10: The number of victims who were in their 20s and teens. This includes 17-year-old Mercedes Williamson, who wanted to study cosmology.
6: Times more likely trans people will experience physical violence at the hands of police compared to overall victims, according to a 2013 report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. And when transgender individuals are the victims of a hate crime, 48% report that police treated them poorly when they looked to law enforcement for help, according to a 2012 study.
6: Times more likely trans people will experience physical violence at the hands of police compared to overall victims, according to a 2013 report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. And when transgender individuals are the victims of a hate crime, 48% report that police treated them poorly when they looked to law enforcement for help, according to a 2012 study.
15: Percent of Black transgender individuals who reported being assaulted at work, according to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey. Discrimination based on gender identity in the workplace is legal in 31 states.
45: Percent of reported hate murders that were committed against transgender women, according to a 2011 report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. 35: The life expectancy for a Black trans woman in America, according to Black Lives Matter. Twelve of this year's victims were under 35.
45: Percent of reported hate murders that were committed against transgender women, according to a 2011 report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. 35: The life expectancy for a Black trans woman in America, according to Black Lives Matter. Twelve of this year's victims were under 35.