Research indicates that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals are at high risk of victimization by others and that transgender individuals may be at even higher risk than their cisgender LGBQ peers. In examining partner violence in particular, extant literature suggests that LGBTQ individuals are at equal or higher risk of partner violence victimization compared with their heterosexual peers. As opposed to sexual orientation, there is little research on gender identity and partner violence within the LGBTQ literature. In the current study, the authors investigated intimate partner violence (IPV) in a large sample of LGBTQ adults (N = 1,139) to determine lifetime prevalence and police reporting in both cisgender and transgender individuals. Results show that more than one fifth of all participants ever experienced partner violence, with transgender participants demonstrating significantly higher rates than their cisgender peers. Implications focus on the use of inclusive language as well as future research and practice with LGBTQ IPV victims.

“Chosen family”—families formed outside of biological or legal (bio-legal) bonds—is a signature of the queer experience. Therefore, we address the stakes of “chosen family” for queer and transgender (Q/T) young adults in terms of health, illness and the mutual provision of care. “Chosen family” is a refuge specifically generated by and for the queer experience, so we draw upon anthropological theory to explore questions of queer kinship in terms of care. We employ a phenomenological approach to semi-structured interviews (n = 11), open coding, and thematic analysis of transcriptions to meet our aims: (1) Develop an understanding of the beliefs and values that form the definition of “chosen family” for Q/T young adults; and (2) Understand the ways in which “chosen family” functions in terms of care for health and illness. Several themes emerged, allowing us to better understand the experiences of this population in navigating the concept of “chosen family” within and beyond health care settings. Emergent themes include: (1) navigating medical systems; (2) leaning on each other; and (3) mutual aid. These findings are explored, as are the implications of findings for how health care professionals can better engage Q/T individuals and their support networks.

This article addresses social work’s place in the movement to “defund the police.” We argue that social work’s collaboration with police and use of policing constitutes carceral social work. In defining carceral social work, we specify the ways in which coercive and punitive practices are used to manage Black, Indigenous, other people of color, and poor communities across four social work arenas – gender-based violence, child welfare, schools, and health and mental health. To inform anti-carceral social work, we provide examples of interventions in these arenas that dismantle police collaborations and point to life-affirming, community-centered, and mutual aid alternatives.

Transgender/gender-nonconforming (GNC) individuals experience discrimination at high rates, including 19% in one study who reported having been refused medical care based on the their transgender/GNC identity. These individuals may also experience a lack of respect from medical personnel, a dearth of culturally competent knowledge and medical information around their medical needs, and concerns with safety when accessing medical care. Additionally, people of color experience higher levels of discrimination in health care than their White counterparts. This study examines the prevalence of discrimination faced by transgender/GNC people and compares by race/ethnicity those rates of discrimination when accessing medical services such as emergency rooms, doctors/hospitals, and ambulances/emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Data indicate that while a significant number of transgender/GNC individuals of all races/ethnicities experience discrimination based on transgender/GNC identity, when accessing medical services, transgender/GNC people of color experience higher levels of antitransgender discrimination, including in emergency rooms (χ²[1, N = 6,454] = 31.018, p < .001), with doctors/hospitals (χ²[1, N = 6,454] = 32.831, p < .001), and with ambulances/EMTs (χ²[1, N = 6,454] = 40.523, p < .001). Significant differences by region were found regarding discrimination when individuals attempted access to doctors/hospitals, (χ²[1, n = 4,823] = 20.72, p ≤ .001). Implications of the findings and future research are suggested.

Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community experience higher rates of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. However, discrimination might not occur equally across all members of the community. This article examines the prevalence of and factors associated with experiences of discrimination for cisgender LGBQ individuals and those who identify as transgender. Findings suggest that as compared with cisgender participants, transgender individuals experience a higher frequency of discrimination related to housing and employment. Factors associated with experiencing discrimination include gender identity; length of time being out, that is, openly disclosing their sexual orientation and/or gender identity; age; and race. Results of this study make clear that it is imperative for social workers, educators, and other human service professionals to be aware of and actively work against transphobic policies and actions that affect the quality of life for transgender individuals beyond the already increased discrimination risks faced by the LGBTQ community.

Transgender and nonbinary patients have a wide array of experiences when attempting to access healthcare, including discrimination and having to educate providers about trans people. This study examines the mental health factors connected to transgender and nonbinary patients' experience with providers to determine the likelihood of transgender or nonbinary patients receiving respectful care after a provider knows about the patient's gender identity, and patients' experience of having to educate providers about trans people, controlling for sociodemographic factor. Using data from the 2015 United States Trans Survey (N = 27,715), chi-square tests of independence and multivariate logistic regressions were used to explore the odds of transgender or nonbinary individuals having a positive experience with a doctor or healthcare provider. Of the respondents, 24.31% experienced having to educate a provider about trans people when seeking care, and 62.90% experienced a provider knowing they were transgender or nonbinary and treating them with respect. Those experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts were significantly less likely to have had a provider treat them with respect, and significantly more likely to need to educate their providers. Gender, age, disability status, and educational level were significant across both variables; income was significant regarding having to educate a provider. Healthcare providers need ongoing training and education to improve their care of transgender and nonbinary patients, specifically around acknowledging the multiple backgrounds and experiences of such patients, including those related to mental health, gender, race, age, income, educational level, and disability.