U.S. Trans Survey (USTS) reports harassment on campus directed at trans and non-binary people; Campus Pride says “College administrators must take action.”

“It is intolerable to not address the harassment directed toward trans people within higher education as outlined in this report. College administrators must take action.  And, we must continue our fight for trans justice throughout society.”

The National Center for Transgender Equality released the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey (USTS) report findings.  With almost 28,000 respondents, the USTS is the largest survey ever devoted to the lives and experiences of trans people.

“All of America needs to understand the lives of trans people,” said Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride.  “Campus Pride values this research, specifically as it relates to our work creating safer, more inclusive learning communities within higher education.  The USTS provides greater clarity on what Campus Pride first shared in our 2010 higher education research study about harassment toward transgender students, faculty and staff.  It is intolerable to not address the harassment directed toward trans people within higher education as outlined in this report. College administrators must take action.  And, we must continue our fight for trans equality and justice throughout society.”

Report highlights about transgender people within higher education:

Of respondents who had attended college or vocational school, 46% said their classmates, professors, or staff at college or vocational school thought or knew they were transgender. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of respondents who indicated that classmates, professors, or staff at college or vocational school thought or knew they were transgender were verbally, physically, or sexually harassed. American Indian (37%), Black (28%), and Middle Eastern (27%) respondents were more likely to have had these experiences, while white (23%), Latino/a (23%), and Asian (22%) respondents were less likely

Of respondents who were out or perceived as transgender and who experienced some form of harassment, 16% left college or vocational school because the harassment was so bad. This represents 2% of all respondents who attended a higher education institution.

Of those who experienced some form of harassment, transgender women (21%) were more likely to have left college or vocational school for this reason than transgender men (16%) and non-binary people.

Read full report online.

Learn about what colleges and universities are doing related to transgender campus polices at the Campus Pride Trans Policy Clearinghouse and the Campus Pride Index.

Campus Pride is the leading national educational organization for LGBTQ and ally college students and campus groups building future leaders and safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. The organization provides resources and services to thousands of college students and nearly 1400 campuses annually. Learn more online at campuspride.org.