For Immediate Release
May 12, 2011
Contact: Jesse Pack
508-755-3773
jessep@aidsprojectworcester.org
A new research study released yesterday by The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy shows that employment discrimination against transgender residents of Massachusetts likely costs the state millions of dollars each year. The Williams Institute study is based on the findings of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, which found that approximately 15% of Massachusetts transgender residents live on less than $10,000 a year, while only 3% of the general population of the Commonwealth make this amount. This increased level of poverty likely costs the state a minimum of $2 million in lost tax revenue and is likely due to rampant discrimination in employment and education. The Williams Institute study also estimates that public assistance expenditures in the form of health and housing assistance likely costs the state millions of dollars per year as well.
“These studies confirm what we have suspected for a number of years”, said Jesse Pack, founder of the Transgender Emergency Fund. “Trans people in Massachusetts are five times more likely than the general population to be living on $10,000 or less a year. This is due to discrimination and it is not going to stop until we have state-wide protective legislation. This concentrated level of poverty costs the state millions of dollars and has a devastating impact on the transgender population. When we started the emergency fund three years ago, it was in response to trans people desperately seeking help for housing and utilities.”
The first program of its kind, the Transgender Emergency Fund provides emergency financial assistance to low-income transgender residents of Massachusetts. Founded in 2008, the fund has provided more than $20,000 in assistance to more than 100 transgender residents. The fund is run entirely by transgender and allied volunteers.
To view the Williams Institute study or the Massachusetts findings of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, please visit http://www.masstpc.org .
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About TEF: Founded in 2008, the Transgender Emergency Fund provides short-term financial assistance to low-income transgender residents in Massachusetts. For more information, visit http://www.tgemergencyfund.org or contact Jesse Pack at (508) 755-3773 or jessep@aidsprojectworcester.org .
