Unemployment is one of the major issues that can have a negative impact on the lives of individuals who are jobless. It causes financial difficulties, emotional distress, and psychological effects such as depression and anxiety. This is especially true for people who face discrimination based on their gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, disability status, or age. Aside from the obvious lack of income, they may struggle to find new jobs because of prejudice against them. Moreover, there are some industries where unemployed transgender people cannot easily access.
Many employers refuse to hire them due to misconceptions about their ability to work effectively.
Transitioning involves changing one's physical appearance to match one's gender identity. Many transgender people undergo surgeries to transition, but others do so without any medical intervention. The process often requires significant effort, time, money, and emotional support. In addition to financial costs, it also carries risks such as postoperative complications and side effects from medications taken during treatment. Therefore, transgender people should be given equal opportunities in the labor market just like anyone else.
Employees need to receive training on how to provide support for transgender workers, including accommodating them in terms of facilities (e.g., restrooms), dress codes (e.g., hairstyle), and pronouns (e.g., he/him/his, she/her/hers). Employers must ensure that all employees feel safe, comfortable, respected, and accepted regardless of their gender identity. This will help create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and can contribute their best to the organization. Unfortunately, not all companies follow these guidelines, which can lead to a feeling of alienation among transgender individuals and affect their performance at work.
Unemployment may make it difficult to afford the cost of transition. Many transgender people have to save up for years before they can even start the process. Moreover, some insurance providers do not cover it or require excessively high co-pays or deductibles.
Unemployed transgender people may not qualify for certain types of jobs due to prejudice against them. They are denied employment because of their appearance, behavior, speech patterns, or social norms. If they find a job that accepts them, they may face discrimination and harassment from coworkers or clients. Some might lose their jobs if they come out publicly as transgender. All these factors increase financial stress and limit access to medical care. The lack of resources makes it harder to access necessary treatments such as hormone therapy, psychotherapy, and surgery. Unemployment also decreases morale and motivation, making it more challenging to focus on personal goals like transitioning.
Transitioning is a complex journey that takes months or years of preparation. It involves physical changes, emotional readjustment, family support, community acceptance, legal recognition, and financial stability. For those who cannot afford transition without a steady income, being unemployed could mean postponing it indefinitely. Even when they find a job, they might not be able to save enough money to pay for all the expenses needed for a successful transition. This situation puts pressure on individuals who must deal with discrimination at work while trying to undergo this major life change.
Unfortunately, there is still much stigma around gender identity and sexual orientation. Many people are unaware of what it means to be transgender or how to interact with them respectfully. Employees should receive training on these topics so they can better understand their colleagues' needs. Companies should make sure that everyone feels welcome regardless of their identities by implementing policies against discrimination based on sex/gender identity/expression. These measures will create an inclusive environment where employees feel safe to be themselves at work without fear of harassment or retaliation.
How does intersection with unemployment affect transition access?
The intersection between employment status and transition access is complex and multifaceted. Unemployed individuals may face various barriers that make it difficult for them to obtain adequate healthcare coverage, education, housing, transportation, and other essential resources during their transition period. This can lead to increased stress levels, anxiety, depression, social isolation, financial instability, and more.