EU report: Nearly half of trans people face repeated violence
The EU has published a report uncovering some shocking statistics about the levels of transphobia in member states.
‘Being Trans in the EU‘ found that over half the 7000 people surveyed had felt personally discriminated against in the last year because they were perceived to be trans. Half the respondents were attacked or threatened with violence, and 44% face repeated violence over the year.
32% felt unable to express their gender or avoided going certain places for fear of negative reactions from other people. The EU Fundamental Rights Agency labelled the findings “alarming.”
MEPs from the LGBTI Intergroup called on the EU to strengthen laws against transphobic discrimination. The law currently only protects those who have undergone, or are currently undergoing gender reassignment – not those who intend to, do not want to or are unable to. EU hate crime laws currently only cover racist and xenophobic crime.
Intergroup Vice-President Dennis de Jong said “We must ensure that EU law on bias motivated crime will be updated to include all forms of bias, including transphobic crimes.”
Co-President Daniele Vioti said: “In employment (37%), at school (24%) and at healthcare services (22%) trans people often face discrimination. We need to ensure that in future revisions of equality legislation, or in new equal treatment legislation, discrimination based on a person’s gender identity will also be covered.”
Vice-President Isabella Adinolfi highlighted the importance of gender recognition in law: “With positive measures for inclusion of trans people, and transparent, accessible and quick gender recognition procedures, over nine in ten (94%) respondents said they would have less fear to express their gender.
“This is a clear message to the European Commission and the Member States to adopt positive measures to promote respect for the human rights of trans people.”
