A new study by UK LGBTQ+ organisation and anti-violence charity, Galop, found four in five transgender people have been the victim of a hate crime within the last 12 months. Out of 277 respondents, a further 50% reported experiencing a transphobic attack in the street, and quarter had either experienced or been threatened with physical assault. Nearly one in five had been the victim of or been threatened with sexual assault. Only 1 in 7 respondents shared their experiences with the police as 70% felt authorities would not help them.
As a result of increasing transphobia, 50% felt they were less able to leave their homes. One respondent told Galop: “The fear is particularly prevalent when public figures – politicians, high profile newspaper columnists etc – demonise trans people in print or on air; it makes the fear more pronounced because you worry someone’s going to act on it.” Seventy per cent said transphobia had worsened their mental health in the past year, and more than half had contemplated suicide as a result.
Leni Morris, CEO of Galop, said the aim of the study was to demonstrate the effects of increasingly hostile debates surrounding trans rights in the UK, and transphobic commentary in the media. They said: “As the whole LGBTQ+ community knows from our history, there are real-world consequences to public debates. Our new report shows how the safety and dignity of trans people is currently at risk.”
