Experiences and factors associated with transphobic hate crimes among transgender women in the San Francisco Bay Area: comparisons across race

Abstract BackgroundTrans women experience high rates of gender-based violence (GBV). Little is understood about factors that shape transphobic hate crimes (a form of GBV) and racial/ethnic variation in these experiences. To contextualize GBV risk and police reporting, we examined self-reported types and correlates of transphobic hate crimes by racial/ethnic group of trans women in the San Francisco Bay Area.MethodsFrom 2016-2018, trans women participated in an HIV epidemiological study. Data analyses (N=629) examined self-reported experiences of transphobic hate crimes by race/ethnicity, and whether hate crimes were reported to the police. Chi-square tests and simple logistic regression examined sociocultural and gender identity factors associated with transphobic violence experiences and police reporting. ResultsAbout 45.8% of participants reported ever experiencing transphobic hate crime; only 48.9% of these were reported to the police. Black (47.9%) and Latina (49.0%) trans women reported a higher prevalence of battery with a weapon; White (26.7%) and trans women of “other” race/ethnicities (25.0%) reported a higher prevalence of sexual assault (p=0.001). Having one’s gender questioned, history of sex work, homelessness as a child and adult, and a history incarceration were associated with higher odds of experiencing transphobic hate crime. Trans women who felt their gender identity questioned had lower odds of reporting a hate crime to the police compared to those did not feel questioned. ConclusionsA high proportion of trans women experienced transphobic hate crime, with significant socio-structural risk factors and racial differences by crime type. However, crimes were underreported to the police. Interventions that address structural factors can yield violence prevention benefits.