A 2020 report from the Center for American Progress found that more than 3 in 5 transgender Americans faced discrimination in the past year.
Research from the National Institutes of Health suggests that non-fiction media—documentaries and reality TV—plays a significant role in helping people understand transgender identities, perhaps more than fictional representations.
Despite increased visibility, the transgender community faces significant challenges:
UN Women reports a significant increase in anti-LGBTIQ+ hate crimes, with 2022 being the most violent in the 12 years prior to their 2024 report. These movements often use "gender ideology" to justify the restriction of legal protections for trans people. Seven Things About Transgender People That You Didn't Know
A March 2025 report from the American Survey Center notes the largest one-year increase in LGBTQ identity, with nearly 1 in 10 (9.3%) Americans identifying as LGBTQ. This surge is driven heavily by young adults, specifically young women, among whom identification has tripled in less than a decade. The gap between young women and young men identifying as LGBTQ is now roughly 20 points. 2. High Visibility and Public Acceptance Levels
Over 4 in 10 (44%) U.S. adults know someone who is transgender, and over 1 in 5 (22%–27%) know someone using non-binary pronouns, according to Pew Research Center .
Stonewall UK highlights that 70% of trans people report experiencing transphobia when accessing general health services, and 90% of trans people reported delays in seeking transition-related care.
