Violence, Victimization and Coping Among Transgender Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Background and Purpose: Transgender and gender expansive youth and young adults (YYA) experience homelessness at disproportionate rates. When transgender YYA experience homelessness, they are subjected to violence and discrimination based on their gender identity/expression, housing status, and/or race/ethnicity. In addition to interpersonal violence, transgender/gender expansive YYA encounter systematic exclusion from systems that could be utilized to assist them in obtaining/maintaining stable housing.

The violence and discrimination faced by transgender people in the U.S. is well documented. In addition to understanding experiences of violence and discrimination, it is also critical to examine the ways transgender people cope. This study focused specifically on transgender/gender expansive YYA experiencing homelessness, examining both their experiences of violence and discrimination as well as their coping strategies. 

Methods: Interdisciplinary homeless YYA researchers developed a national research collaborative (REALYST; www.realyst.org) between universities and homeless youth-serving organizations to examine and compare risk and resilience characteristics of YYA experiencing homelessness (ages 18-26) across seven U.S. cities. This national study was conducted from 2016-2017 in Los Angeles, San Jose, Phoenix, St. Louis, Denver, Houston, and New York City. Data were collected using tablets to deliver a standardized, self-administered survey.

In addition to demographic questions and experiences with homelessness, participants were asked about their experiences of discrimination, victimization, stress, and coping. Discrimination was measured by the Everyday Discrimination Scale (Milburn et al., 2010). Coping strategies were measured using items from the Coping Scale (Kidd & Carol, 2007). The Rew Stress of the Streets Scale (Rew et al., 2016) assessed stressors experienced on the streets, and victimization was assessed using the Adapted Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (Finkelhor, et al., 2005).

Results: The final sample included 107 transgender/gender expansive YYA. Participants reported experiencing widespread violence, discrimination, and stress while on the streets. Specifically, participants reported experiencing a bias attack due to “someone saying you’re transgender” (40%), “someone saying you’re gay” (40%), and skin color (27%). Over half of participants reported being threatened with physical assault while homelessness, 44% were victims of robbery, 40% reported being forced to have sex, 35% were assaulted with a weapon, 32% were victims of sexual assault. 60% experienced discrimination based on their gender identity. The most commonly reported stressors included earning money and finding work. Participants coped by recognizing their own strength and concentrating on solving their problems.

Conclusion and Implications: Transgender/gender expansive YYA experiencing homelessness face widespread interpersonal violence. Existing literature documents structural barriers that limit access to systems and supports necessary to exit homelessness, including housing and supportive services, employment and education. When examined through the lens of cisgenderism, homelessness as a result of failed systems is a form of structural violence. It is imperative to recognize the interpersonal and structural acts of violence transgender/gender expansive YYA face in their daily lives while navigating life on the streets. Despite these challenges, study participants utilized positive coping strategies to get through. Individual level interventions should include a focus on positive coping strategies; structural interventions should break down barriers to access for transgender/gender expansive YYA.