Skip to main content

Specific Experiences of Transgender Asians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders Highlighted in New Report

Press Contact

Contact Name
Ash Orr (they/he)

Today, in partnership with the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) released a detailed report about the specific experiences of Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (ANHPI) transgender people in many areas of life.

The report builds upon NCTE’s groundbreaking 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, the largest ever survey of transgender people in the nation, with nearly 28,000 respondents. The full USTS report revealed troubling disparities and patterns of discrimination, which were amplified for respondents of color, including ANHPI respondents.

Key findings about ANHPI transgender respondents include:

  • 58% of Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander respondents said they would feel somewhat or very uncomfortable asking the police for help if they needed it.
  • 32% were living in poverty, nearly three times the rate in the U.S. population (12%).
  • 41% had been sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetimes.
  • 21% had experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.

“Since the full report of the U.S. Transgender Survey was released, transgender people, their families, and allies have been using it to advocate for policies that account for their specific needs,” said NCTE Executive Director Mara Keisling. “Now, transgender Asians and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders in the U.S. have an even more detailed advocacy tool.”

“Even in our LGBTQ ANHPI spaces, transgender and gender non-conforming people are too often pushed to the margins,” said NQAPIA Organizing Director Sasha W. “This report provides important statistics about the experiences of TGNC people in our communities. We need to ensure that trans and gender non-conforming people are always at the center of our work, and we look forward to building an API Trans Freedom School next year!”

Join Our Mailing List

Sign Up