Glaad.org

Thursday, November 3, 2011 - 2:55pm by Ross Murray, Director of Religion, Faith & Values

The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) released a report today concerning Americans' understanding of transgender people entitled "Strong Majorities of Americans Favor Rights and Legal Protections for Transgender People." It is often assumed that most Americans are not familiar with transgender people, but these survey results showed a surprising level of understanding and familiarity with transgender people.

In order to determine whether Americans understood what it means to be transgender, PRRI conducted a follow-up survey in September 2011 that asked respondents to report what the term transgender meant to them in their own words.  Among the 91% of Americans who report that they have heard of the term transgender, 76% give an essentially accurate definition. Thus, overall, more than two-thirds (69%) of Americans are able to identify what transgender means without any assistance. Additionally, over 1-in-10 of the respondents said that they have a close friend or family member who is transgender.

Public Religion Research Institute survey results:
http://publicreligion.org/research/2011/11/american-attitudes-towards-transgender-people/

Could you provide a direct link to the article please? I'm really interested in reading the whole thing, if there is more to read.

I meant to. I'm new at this, sorry.

http://www.glaad.org/blog/americans-understand-and-support-transgender-people-more-previously-thought

There you go.

Thanks for the link!

I find this very very interesting. It seems like Chaz Bono might have done a good job at what he's doing.

I'm kind of glad also that LGBT groups seem to be putting a bit more emphasis on us transgender people, because while even these numbers might seem promising, if you look at the research institute's website and the data collection, you'll find this question and response:

In just a few words, what do you think the word 'transgender' means?
Person who....
39% - Switches from one gender to another (General)
7% - Switches from one gender to another (Surgical/Medical)
10% - Is born the wrong sex/born in the wrong body
9% -  Has Identified with both genders
6% - Acts/lives like the opposite gender
5% -  Identifies more with the opposite gender
2% -  Has different sexual preference/orientation
2% -  Has both sexual organs
8% -  Other Miscellaneous Reponses
11% - Don't know/Refused
100% Total

Still, it's not quite so bad. If you add the responses of "is born in the wrong body," "Acts/lives like the opposite gender" and "Identifies more with the opposite gender" then that's about 21% or 1 in 5 people who we can basically be certain that know what we are. That's quite a lot more than I ever imagined.

Seems like most of the article was about what people know. and I know what people know.

Quote from: toxicblue on November 04, 2011, 12:18:05 AM
In just a few words, what do you think the word 'transgender' means?

... but they didn't ask if people knew it was an umbrella term that includes crossdressers, dragqueens, etc.

I think that is a major flaw in this survey, and I wonder if it was done on purpose.

While this and no-doubt, other issues are manipulated and distorted by media who, naturally, are more interested in ratings than reality, it is gratifying, though perhaps somewhat, unsurprising that most Americans are just ordinary people who want to live and let live.

From the perspective of an outside observer it seems like Americans are either ready to git thar guns and blast 'em suckers, or angry types who want to hug the world and befriend a black man.

But in reality, they are just like us really.

Hey GLAAD did the survey. I'll come back when a non biased media news outlet asks the question.

Mahsa is there something I should know about other than the Barrios/AT&T thing? I'm not super familiar with their track record. Are they not trans-friendly? I know I've heard bad stuff about the Human Rights Campaign, so I'm not doubting that GLAAD or any other nonprofit has some issues, but I'm curious.

Quote from: Felix on November 04, 2011, 01:57:23 PM
Mahsa is there something I should know about other than the Barrios/AT&T thing? I'm not super familiar with their track record. Are they not trans-friendly? I know I've heard bad stuff about the Human Rights Campaign, so I'm not doubting that GLAAD or any other nonprofit has some issues, but I'm curious.

It's a biased media type doo hickey. You do the math...

If the mainstream media said this, I'd believe it...seriously.