WITHDRAWN: #Stopaapihate: Experiences of Violence Against Trans Asian Americans in the U.S

Background and Purpose:

Reports of hate crimes against Asian Americans in the U.S. have significantly increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, experiences of violence and discrimination in the Asian American community is not a new phenomenon. Few studies, however, have specifically examined the experiences of violence among Asian Americans who also identify as trans. As members of multiple marginalized groups, trans Asian Americans may be increasingly vulnerable to rejection and isolation due to their multiple marginalized identities. Yet, there is limited understanding of how this subgroup of trans people experiences violence and discrimination in the U.S. We sought to address this gap and assess the relationships between sociodemographic factors and violence and discrimination among trans Asian Americans.

Methods:
We conducted a secondary analysis of the United States Trans Survey (USTS) dataset, with a nonprobability sample (n=699) of self-identified trans Asian-American adults who reported being 18 or older and living in the U.S., an overseas military base, or the territories of American Samoa, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Intersectionality provides a theoretical underpinning for the current study. This theoretical model acknowledges how multiple marginalized identities can shape the experiences of trans Asian Americans. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions were used to test a conceptual model of independent variables including birthplace, disability, gender identity, education, income, age, and region on the dependent variables of unequal treatment, verbal harassment, and physical attack.

Results:

More than half (54.6%) of trans Asian Americans in the U.S. have experienced verbal harassment, almost 1 in 5 (17.6%) have been denied equal treatment, and more than an eighth (14.7%) have been physically attacked. Among trans Asian Americans with disabilities, they are almost two times more likely than trans Asian Americans without a disability to experience unequal treatment (OR=2.26, CI=1.36-3.77), verbal harassment (OR=1.75, CI=1.13-2.71), and physical attack (OR=1.93, CI=1.03-3.60). A higher percentage of trans Asian American women than trans Asian American experience being denied equal treatment, verbal harassment, and physical attack. Nonbinary/genderqueer/crossdressing trans Asian Americans are more likely than trans Asian American men (OR=1.60, CI= 1.03-2.49) to experience verbal harassment.

Conclusions and Implications:

Study results indicate that trans Asian Americans who are members of other marginalized groups (e.g. women, have a disability, low-income) are more likely to experience violence and discrimination. These data highlight the importance of an intersectional lens in understanding the complex experiences of trans Asian Americans in the U.S. Social work strategies to appropriately mitigate the consequences of this violence must consider the diversity of the trans Asian American community. Further, directed efforts to develop linguistically and culturally appropriate social work services must not only seek to address the systemic racism that creates challenges associated with being trans and Asian American, but should also aim to harness the unique strengths and resilience of the trans Asian American community.