On the Margins of the Marginalized: Exploring Sex Work and Homelessness Among Transgender/Gender-Non-Conforming Individuals

Purpose: Transgender/gender non-conforming (GNC) individuals experience homelessness at rates twice that of the broader national population, with nearly 20% reporting that their homelessness was due directly to their transgender or GNC identities (Grant et al., 2011). Literature also demonstrates that homeless individuals frequently practice sex work and/or trade sex (also known as survival sex) in exchange for food, housing, and to obtain other basic necessities. While often perceived as one of few viable options for survival and self-sufficiency on the streets, sex work has been linked with myriad adverse outcomes, including elevated rates of HIV, STIs, unwanted pregnancies, and substance abuse (Halcón & Lifson, 2004). This study uses a national survey to examine, specifically among transgender/GNC individuals: 1) What is the prevalence of homelessness and sex work?, and 2) What relationships exist between homelessness experiences and sex work?

Methods: The current study uses the 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey (N=6,454), collected by The National Center for Transgender Equality, a national advocacy organization. Data were collected using online surveys, distributed through social media, partner organizations, and advertisements to participants from 50 U.S. States, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Participants were asked various questions regarding current living situations, experiences of harassment, victimization and discrimination, health questions, and demographic information. The current study examined relationships between homelessness experiences and sex work by using a series of Chi-square analyses. Specifically, analyses explored whether transgender/GNC individuals had engaged in sex work, and if so, if they reported higher rates of current homelessness, homelessness at any point, and if they were more or less likely to access shelters while homeless.

Results: Data indicate that while many (n = 721, 11.2%) transgender/GNC individuals experienced homelessness at some point, many transgender/GNC (n = 694, 10.8%) also engaged in sex work. Sex work was associated with current homelessness, X²(1) = 224.486, p <  .001, and homelessness at some point due to being transgender/GNC, X²(2) = 457.114, p <  .001. Interestingly, of the transgender/GNC individuals who experienced homelessness, sex work was more highly associated with accessing a shelter compared to those who were homeless but did not engage in sex work, X²(2) = 953.417, p <  .001.

Implications: Findings suggest that transgender/GNC individuals experience homelessness at higher rates because of their marginalized identities, and sex work is associated with such homelessness experiences. However, as homeless transgender/GNC individuals who engage in sex work often reported accessing shelters, future social work research efforts should further explore transgender/GNC individuals’ homelessness and sex work experiences in order to inform how service provision may be optimized to better meet the needs of this highly-discriminated against and vulnerable population.

References

Grant, J., Mottet, L., Tanis, J., Harrison, J., Herman, J., & Keisling, M. (2011). Injustice at every turn: A report of the national transgender discrimination survey. Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Halcón, L. L., & Lifson, A. R. (2004). Prevalence and predictors of sexual risks among homeless youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 33(1), 71-80.