There have long been restrictions on LGBTQ+ representation in media. Dominant portrayals of people with diverse sexualities and gender orientations have included depictions of them as obscure, or at times even as villains. It's important for readers, including a rising LGBTQ+ population, to see a variety of stories and relatable representations reflected in the media they consume.
Trans professionals also navigate discrimination at work and throughout the hiring process. A 2024 study by Columbia University found that 27% of trans individuals were denied employment, job promotions, or were fired due to their gender identity. Over 80% of trans employees in the U.S. have experienced workplace discrimination or harassment, according to a 2024 report by UCLA’s Williams Institute.
For many trans and gender diverse media workers, financial inequality and workplace discrimination is just the tip of the iceberg. Encounters with systemic oppression such as societal and religious discrimination, and familial rejection are commonplace, impacting their wellbeing and performance at work.
To help trans media workers better navigate these challenges, below you’ll find a list of support networks, mental health resources and organizations offering support for this community.
(1) Support networks
As journalists from minority groups experience isolation in workspaces, they benefit from little to no peer support, and their colleagues may not understand the nuances of their daily challenges. In some instances, even colleagues who are accepting of LGBTQ+ people might enact microaggressions against trans co-workers by misgendering them or asking questions that hyperfixate on their gender identity or transition.
Connecting with other trans media workers can be a liberating experience, helping establish a long-term professional support network. The Trans Journalists Association offers a Slack channel, mentorship, and newsroom advocacy tools such as gender inclusive style guides. Their members’ site also provides opportunities to connect with trans journalists globally. Their online discussions touch on journalism, the experiences of trans and gender diverse people working in media, and more.
The Asia Pacific Transgender Network, while not media-specific, gives trans individuals in the region the opportunity to connect with one another and discuss advocacy and the issues they face.
(2) Mental health support
Mental health has become a leading obstacle for journalists globally. For marginalized populations, including those who identify as transgender and gender diverse, the challenge is intensified. As a result, according to a 2024 report by the Jama Network, these communities “carry a disproportionately higher burden of mental disorders compared with the general population."
For many trans people, finding the right therapist is key. Missteps in psychotherapy with trans clients include issues like gender pathologizing, which can lead to negative self perception and an aversion to therapy as a whole. The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network offers a directory of therapists who are queer and/or trans themselves and are well versed in trans-inclusive therapeutic practices.
If you are in a crisis and require immediate support from other trans people, don’t hesitate to reach out to Trans Lifeline.
(3) Legal support
Beyond workplace discrimination, trans journalists may encounter complex legal landscapes intertwined with their profession. Issues like securing accurate identification for press credentials, contending with harassment or threats while reporting, or navigating employment disputes related to their gender identity add layers of difficulty.
Navigating the legal system can be a daunting task for people of any gender identity. Trans individuals face legal issues at disproportionate rates and often without the support of trans-inclusive attorneys and legal counsel, according to a 2016 report by the Movement Advancement Project. They are incarcerated at higher rates, too: 21% of trans women have spent time in prison, compared to 5% of the general population. One in five trans people reported being mistreated by police. In 2017, the National Library of Medicine published a review of the most persistent legal issues facing trans people. It identified identity recognition, family law and relationship issues, adverse discrimination, and anti-transgender violence and its aftermath as the most complicated and persistent.
For trans people in the U.S. with urgent legal questions, the Transgender Law Center provides a free Legal Information Helpdesk, which offers basic information about laws and policies that affect trans people, including employment, healthcare, housing, prisoners’ rights and identity document changes. The Helpdesk operates as a general legal informational service and is not able to provide individualized legal advice nor representation.
Other legal resources in partnership with the Transgender Law Center include the Trans Health Project, the Name Change Project and the Trans Legal Services Directory.
(4) Emergency safety support
Systemic violence against trans communities creates unique occupational hazards for trans journalists, who may face targeted attacks during assignments, or retaliation for their reporting. These threats intersect with their identity, demanding emergency protocols tailored both to their profession and lived reality.
In November 2024, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation reported on the epidemic of violence against the transgender and gender-expansive community in the U.S. The report found that in 2023 the FBI reported the highest number of anti-LGBTQ+ crimes to date. Nearly 3,000 hate crimes were recorded against LGBTQ+ people, accounting for almost 25% of all hate crimes that year. Half of these victims were Black trans women.
For Black trans people seeking urgent support navigating and/or fleeing a hostile environment, the Black Trans Travel Fund offers support in the form of fully funded car rides, assistance with TSA pre-checks, passport and flight sponsorships. In October, they will relaunch their book sponsorship program, in which they give out books for free.
Other emergency resources include the Trans Safety Emergency Fund, which offers rapid support grants to assist with basic living costs, monthly bills, crucial medical bills and emergency safety costs such as relocation.
For trans people in the U.S., the Trans Advocacy Council provides support on a rolling basis through its Transgender Emergency Fund. However, applications are restricted to residents of southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana. Trans applicants from around the world can apply for the Bessy Ferrera Emergency Fund run by Hivos.
(5) Funds for trans advocacy
Across the world, trans people find themselves in a shortage of resources and institutional support.
For trans journalists and groups considering organizing trans advocacy efforts themselves, the International Trans Fund provides grants that support a wide range of activities, including awareness events, educational seminars, and media projects. With its focus on funding trans-led groups, the Fund is unable to provide support to individuals and organizations that are not led by trans people.
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash.
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