Transgender people face extraordinary levels of violence, whether on the streets, at school or work, at home, or at the hands of government officials. In the United States alone, more than one in four trans people have faced a bias-driven assault, and rates are higher for trans women and trans people of color. Globally, studies show there has been a steady increase in the number of reported murders of transgender or gender non-conforming persons each year, with at least 3664 murders documented since 2008; 97% identified as transgender women. At least 80% have faced verbal harassment, 54% have suffered sexual violence, and 62% have suffered physical violence in their lifetime, according to studies. This event will take place in the context of the 5th Trans Advocacy Week at the 47th UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
This event will attempt, given the lack of data and statistics on transgender individuals in most countries, to give a global overview of the epidemic of violence faced by transgender women. Panelists will shed light on how anti-transgender stigma, denial of opportunity and intersecting vulnerabilities compound to create a culture of violence targeting transgender women. Most importantly, the event will provide ways we can directly make our societies safer places for transgender persons.
Speakers:
- Featuring a keynote address by actress and activist Angelica Ross (she/her)
- Moderated by Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride (she/her)
- With Remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (he/him)
Panelists:
- Tunisia Mania Brown, International Trans Fund (she/her)
- Rikki Nathanson, Trans Research Education Advocacy and Training (she/her)
- Bianca Rodrigues, COMCAVIS (she/her)
Proudly hosted by:
The Permanent Missions of the United States of America, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Portugal, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay;
And
The Human Rights Campaign; the International Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA World); GATE; the Global Interfaith Network for People of all Sexes, Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities, and Expressions (GIN-SSOGIE); and the Council for Global Equality.