Transgender individuals in Mexico: exploring characteristics and experiences of discrimination and violence

ABSTRACT

There is limited research of transgender individuals in Mexico. Transgender individuals on a whole tend to have increased exposure to violence and discrimination which complicates access to health services, despite a great need for services relating to HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and gender confirmation processes. Questionnaires from 148 transgender-identified participants were completed using both online and face-to-face recruiting. Participants were asked about their backgrounds, health access, experiences with discrimination and violence. More than half reported being single and 23% reported being married or living with their partner. Five percent reported having children mostly through a previous sexual relationship. Violence was reported at higher frequencies than discrimination. More than 40% of participants had been sent to psychotherapy and more than 70% engaged suicidal ideation. Transgender communities endure frequent forms of discrimination and violence in their everyday lives. While transgender individuals in Mexico have unique characteristics that may make access to services distinct from other countries, they seem to face common problems, such as exposure to sexually transmitted infections and difficulties in access to gender confirmation processes and violence.

KEYWORDS:

• Transgender
• gender violence
• gender confirmation procedures
• Mexico

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ignacio Lozano-Verduzco

Ignacio Lozano-Verduzco is full professor at the National Pedagogic University in Mexico City. He has coordinated research projects regarding masculinities, homophobia and violence. He is interested in homophobia (and other forms of discrimination and stigma) as a social structure and how it affects subjectivity and wellbeing. He was awarded the Mexico City Youth Award for his academic achievement. He currently collaborates with three international research teams interested in analysing how minority individuals navigate structural stigma, their health, wellbeing and interpersonal relationships

Rita Melendez

Rita Melendez is full professor and a Senior Research Scientist at the Centre for Research & Education on Gender and Sexuality. She specialises in combined quantitative and qualitative methods in researching HIV issues as they relate to minority women and Latino immigrants in the US. She works with a number of CBOs in conducting HIV research as well as in conducting assessments and evaluations with their clients.