Transgender Workplace DiversityRichard Juang, a respected scholar and activist, has posted some national statistics on transgender discrimination. He cites studies showing a 35% unemployment rate and 60% earning less than $15,300, as well as high rates of workplace termination, denial of employment and harassment. It's interesting to compare these to the statistics in the general US population.
The transgender statistics are much higher that the statistics in the general US population - the unemployment rate is about 8 times higher and the poverty rate is about 5 times higher. The general population statistics show a a 4.5% unemployment rate and a 13% poverty rate (earning $10,488 or less for 2006). But there are difficulties with making these statements. First is the fact that the poverty rate threshold, $10,488, is lower than the $15,300 cited in the statistics. But the rate comparison is still useful, because $15,300 is still a fairly low income, and it's reasonable to figure that the percent of the general population earning that amount might be 15% to 20%. That would make the poverty rate for transgender people three times higher - still extremely high.
