Increasing Advocacy, Awareness and Support for Transgender Individuals

The lack of understanding and knowledge regarding transgender individuals is a social justice issue social workers and social service practitioners must educate themselves on in order to serve this oppressed and vulnerable population to create change and equality. This qualitative research project conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 individuals who identify as transgender, or somewhere along the spectrum of gender non-conforming, regarding their opinions on how to increase awareness, support, and advocacy for the transgender community. Important themes that were found in the data regarding the experience of clinical practice with people who transgender individuals were: understanding transgender terminology, explaining and understanding gender identity, opinions regarding inclusion in the LBG-Q community, issues in transgender community, advocacy, and thoughts on future research. Discussion of the findings in relationship to the literature is addressed. The findings go beyond the sparse literature and shed light on several implications for the changes needed in order to create equality for all individuals. Implications include understanding gender identity, specifically regarding language and use of pronouns, addressing discrimination including the need for gender neutral public restrooms, health care, violence and creating better practice though education and research