While the workplace should be safe and equitable for every employee, trans women are at a high risk of experiencing harassment. They’re more likely to be victims of physical abuse, intimidation, sexual violence, verbal harassment, and many more scenarios that put their lives and mental health in danger. Putting an end to this pervasive issue should be an employer’s top priority, but where do these forms of abuse stem from?
To assemble solid protections, policies, and training that protect LGBTQIA+ employees, we can’t just make broad strokes; we have to understand the root causes. In this article, we’ll take a look at why trans women face such high rates of workplace harassment to better comprehend their experiences and stop these offenses.
It’s no secret that the majority of hatred and violence towards trans women comes from bias steeped in outdated cultural norms, practices, and beliefs. Some people may have biases rooted in religion; others may simply fear what they do not understand.
Regardless of the reasoning, trans women are frequently devalued, marginalized, and subjected to mistreatment. Because this is a deeply ingrained societal issue, it’s difficult to fight this bias on a person-to-person basis. Workplace harassment requires broader policy reform and federal protection.
Sometimes, what we attribute to malice comes from ignorance. While the result can be just as painful, it is not always purposeful. For example, an employee misgendering a trans employee isn’t always deliberate, but not everyone understands that it’s best to use they/them pronouns when you don’t know a person’s gender identity.
Nevertheless, it can still be very triggering for the person on the receiving end of misgendering. Gentle redirection and education can do wonders. This can happen through workplace training programs, awareness campaigns, and open discussions that foster empathy, understanding, and respect.
The fetishization of trans women occurs when individuals focus solely on the transgender identity of women, reducing them to a sexual fantasy or stereotype. This dehumanizing behavior perpetuates harmful misconceptions and reinforces the idea that transgender women are objects, particularly sexual objects. This is incredibly dangerous rhetoric that further perpetuates the idea that those of the LGBTQIA+ community—especially trans people—are promiscuous or inherently perverted.
Occasionally, this fetishization can appear as anger toward transgender people, where the aggressor may feel unfounded shame for their attractions to others. Other times, this may appear as flat-out sexual harassment and blatant objectification. Either way, the result is the same: a detrimental effect on a trans person’s well-being and sense of self.
While trans people are disproportionately victims of violence and homicide, trans women of color are at the most risk, particularly Black trans women. Why?
Intersectionality is a concept that recognizes people’s disadvantages and marginalizations shaped by multiple intersecting factors, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and socioeconomic status. It highlights the interconnectedness of these identities and how they can compound and interact with one another, resulting in different forms of discrimination.
In general, women are more likely to be subjected to physical violence, usually from domestic partners. When exacerbated by the deeply ingrained biases and stereotypes toward Black people in the United States, Black women become more at risk. Discrimination and harassment only increase as they fall into other marginalized groups, such as mental health conditions, poverty, and living as a trans woman.
Without clear, inclusive policies in place, trans women are more vulnerable to mistreatment, prejudice, and bias. The absence of workplace guidelines and protections leaves room for ignorance, misunderstandings, and unfair treatment. As a result, individuals cannot fully participate in the workplace with dignity and equality.
When workplaces lack comprehensive policies, trans women may encounter a range of challenges, including misgendering, exclusion, lack of access to appropriate facilities, or denial of health care coverage for transition-related needs. The absence of explicit protection also perpetuates a culture of silence and erasure, leaving trans women feeling invisible and unsupported.
Therefore, trans women may endure high stress, increased anxiety, and a diminished sense of belonging. This negatively impacts the overall well-being of a group of people already at severe risk for mental health issues due to hatred and bigotry.
It is a simple, ugly, and unfortunate truth: “cis passing” trans women are less likely to experience harassment inside and outside of the workplace. While there is no singular look to trans women—as all people are different—many bigots have a hateful caricature in mind. Oftentimes, when people perceive a trans woman as a cisgender woman, it can act as a sort of invisibility cloak, protecting them from those who would otherwise treat them poorly.
Aside from the incredible amount of fulfillment and self-esteem a trans woman can receive with the help of gender-affirming care, this protection is another aspect. The absence of gender-affirming care—like hormone therapy or gender confirmation surgeries—deprives transgender women of the opportunity to align their physical appearance with their gender identity.
Additionally, the difficulties they face in obtaining updated identification documents can lead to unnecessary scrutiny, discrimination, and a constant reminder of the challenges they encounter on a daily basis.
As mentioned, trans people are already more likely to experience mental health issues due to growing up and existing in a society that doesn’t accept them. Workplace harassment only exacerbates this prevalent issue; it can take a significant toll on people’s mental health.
The constant fear of discrimination, ridicule, and mistreatment takes a toll on their overall well-being, leading to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. This hostile work environment establishes a constant state of hypervigilance. Transgender employees are more likely to endure feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and a lack of motivation. In severe cases, trans women may even take their own life due to mental anguish.
Workplace harassment not only affects the mental well-being of transgender women but also hinders their career progression. The constant discrimination and mistreatment create barriers that impede professional growth.
Transgender women may face bias in hiring, promotions, and access to resources, perpetuating a cycle of inequality that limits their potential for success. As a result, transgender women may experience higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, leading to lower wages and limited financial stability.
This creates a vicious cycle that can be impossible to escape. Without employment, trans individuals don’t have the funds to receive gender-affirming care. Without gender-affirming care, they become more likely to experience violence, discrimination, and mental health issues tethered to self-esteem, thus, making it harder to remain employed.
Ultimately, trans women face high rates of workplace harassment because of systemic and societal discrimination, bias, and lack of understanding. At The Law Firm of Tamara N Holder, our women’s rights lawyers protect all women. If you’ve been harassed or discriminated against at your place of work due to your sex or gender identity, let us support and defend you. With our expertise and dedication to seeking justice, we aim to create safe, equitable workplaces for women.
