Consequently, the experiences of those who are more marginalized within the marginalized group are largely unnoticed, understudied, and detrimental to the mental health of those within this extra layer of oppression. Transgender women of color not only have to experience the discriminatory effects of their sexual minority identity but they also have their racial minority identity, both of which may be visible and which may indicate their existence in public spaces. Balsam, Molina, Beadnell, Simoni, and Walters (2011) created a scale to measure the multiple stressors experienced by LGBT people of color through the form of microaggressions. Balsam, Molina, Beadnell, Simoni, and Walters defined microaggressions as “…generally characterized as brief, daily assaults on minority individuals, which can be social or environmental,
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Testa et al. (2012) studied transgender women and men in Virginia who experienced physical and sexual violence. The participants in this study varied based on race, ethnicity, age, education level, and socioeconomic status despite being from one state in the U.S. The findings of this study indicate that, in most cases, physical and sexual violence that was experienced in the past was caused by gender identity or expression of the transgender individual (Testa et al., 2012). Also, the violent acts were irregularly reported to police. Based on these findings, one can see why the existence of transgender persons in public spaces can be life-threatening and with no help from a social institution that was created to protect and serve. This article suggested that future studies should add the phenomenon of intersecting identities as a dynamic in violence that is experienced by transgender people, which would help in giving a voice to transgender women of
Testa et al. (2012) studied transgender women and men in Virginia who experienced physical and sexual violence. The participants in this study varied based on race, ethnicity, age, education level, and socioeconomic status despite being from one state in the U.S. The findings of this study indicate that, in most cases, physical and sexual violence that was experienced in the past was caused by gender identity or expression of the transgender individual (Testa et al., 2012). Also, the violent acts were irregularly reported to police. Based on these findings, one can see why the existence of transgender persons in public spaces can be life-threatening and with no help from a social institution that was created to protect and serve. This article suggested that future studies should add the phenomenon of intersecting identities as a dynamic in violence that is experienced by transgender people, which would help in giving a voice to transgender women of