The purpose of this website is to expose the specific injustices and flaws within our system that are putting gender non-conformists at a disadvantage. It is important that we recognize the flaws within our healthcare system, and discover the factors behind trans specific health care in New York City. 

We should be concerned for the voices of the community of colored trans that are stationed in unfortunate living conditions within our society, making it harder for their basic needs to be met due to the lack of resources. There are many issues that impact this group, in which the government chooses to overlook. 

A recent survey shows that 29%, almost one in three, avoid medical care because of discrimination, 36% of the population has reported attempting suicide, and widespread employment discrimination that has led many homeless. All of these statistics add to what is the increase of health disparities for transgender people. In addition, Medicaid policies are still excluding or limiting coverage for transition-related healthcare for transgender people reproducing hierarchies of race and class in certain states. Most states’ Medicaid programs in general often do not cover transition-related care. The provider-patient relationship is surrounded by this stigmatizing attitude which functions to maintain a system of inequality.

 

This leads into the bigger issue, that which not only affects transgender people, but more specifically targeting those of color. “The lack of access to medical care causes profound negative mental, physical, social, legal, racial and economic consequences in low income trans communities. All of these consequences are intimately interrelated” (Gehi, S. Pooja, 2007). There is much evidence to support that transgender people are living under severely poor conditions with little to no money. Back in 2009, 85% lived under the federal poverty level with an annual income of less than $9,750 a year. A more recent study shows that people who are transgender are twice as likely to be living in poverty in the U.S., with 29% living in poverty in 2015. For transgender people of color, the statistics were far worse, with 43% of Latinx and 38% of Black trans genders living in poverty. 

Not much has changed. Generally, people of color get the receiving end of the stick when it comes to the social and health consequences from the lack of healthcare coverage. This all stems from the surveillance and racism they encounter when trying to gain access to healthcare. The discrimination goes beyond gender into structural racism that transgender people of color in devastating levels. These marginalized groups of citizens often avoid medical care alone because of the systematic oppression when, “experiencing worse health or greater health risks than more advantaged social groups,” (P. Braveman, 2006). 

 

It’s evident that this is more than just a New York City problem, this is a global issue manifesting itself into a violation of human rights. It is a timely issue, which is not widely broadcasted enough or brought to the forefront of policy reforms. There is still much to be done, and the purpose of this multimedia piece is to emphasize the real-life telling and stories of transgender people of color based on the topic of healthcare. Individuals and influential, such as Mojo Disco, Sai, and Mohamed Q. Amin are the primary sources of my piece. Through their lens, organizations, and personal stories you will bear witness to the unveiling of this epidemic. These are personal tellings from people that embody the experience of transgender of color in America. I am currently working alongside a few organizations that acknowledge this trauma and are active workers in the lives of these transgender. The organizations that have been so helpfulQueens Pride House, The Caribbean Equality Project, The New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy, and The LGBTQ Community Center all located in NYC.

 

 The major question this strives to answer is “why is this important”, and I hope that question will be answered by seeing the impact on people’s lives. This cite aids to define key terms and concepts related to transgender people. It describes the major health and healthcare disparities facing them. Lastly, this site will be used as a means to share resources and active work that is being done to adhere to the needs of transgender people of color in their community.

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Thank you.

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