Married Trans Couples Experience Less Discrimination: Study

Married trans couples respondents do not report lower levels of perceived discrimination
About 4,286 transgenders had participated in the National Transgender Discrimination Survey
The study also noted that increased income may create more opportunities for transgenders

US, July 27, 2017: A research conducted by Michigan State University suggests that trans couples are less likely to undergo discrimination than their unmarried counterparts.

It is because of the pervasiveness of transphobia—individual, societal, and institutional discrimination targeted at transgender people. Researchers and policymakers have

called for increased attention to the unique stigma and discrimination that transgender people experience.

The study showed that marital status of transgender works into their favor. About 4,286 transgenders had participated in the National Transgender Discrimination Survey.

The authors combined minority stress and marital advantage perspectives to assess marital status differences in transgender related perceived discrimination among transgender people in multiple life domains: the workplace, family, health care, and public accommodations.

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Married trans couples respondents do not report lower levels of perceived discrimination. These marital status differences appear primarily among transwomen but not transmen. Economic resources account for some, but not all, of these differences.

"Past research suggests marriage is related to greater access to economic, social and psychological resources and we believe that access to such resources helps transgender people combat life stressors related to their gender-minority status, including discrimination," said principal investigator Hui Liu.

Liu added, "Our findings highlight the importance of providing gender and sexual minorities legal access to marriage."

The study also noted that increased income may create more opportunities for transgenders. For instance, married transgender women may be able to choose their sustenance and work environments which will reduce exposure to transphobia and discrimination.

Marriage is an important social institution that is associated with increased accessibility to resources; these resources may promote well-being but are less accessible to unmarried people.

– prepared by Naina Mishra of Newsgram. Twitter @Nainamishr94

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