Pride Month: Spotlight on Trans Economic Empowerment
Every June, rainbow flags and merchandise appear in storefronts across the country in celebration of Pride Month. But while corporations have been cashing in on the symbols of LGBTQIA+ pride for years, many in the community — especially transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex (TGI) individuals — continue to face economic insecurity, job discrimination, and barriers to stable employment. The commercialization of Pride can often feel like rainbow capitalism, in which the focus is more on sales than solidarity or systemic change. The most meaningful way of celebrating Pride Month isn’t just with rainbow-themed products — it’s with action. That means dismantling the structural inequities that keep TGI workers on the margins and investing in initiatives and services that help them thrive. Here’s why TGI individuals face such an uphill battle in the job market and how we can level the playing field so these marginalized members of the workforce can experience economic pride throughout the year.
Understanding the Economic Realities for TGI Workers
TGI individuals often encounter significant barriers to success in the workforce, including discrimination in hiring and promotions, limited job opportunities, pay and benefits gaps, and a lack of culturally competent career services. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, with career services and work reentry programs playing a pivotal role in fostering economic empowerment for TGI workers. Transgender workers have lower incomes and higher unemployment rates compared to their cisgender counterparts. Specifically, transgender women earn approximately 14% less, while those assigned female at birth who identify as genderqueer or nonbinary earn about 38% less than similarly situated cisgender men. Additionally, unemployment rates among transgender groups range from 9% to 16%, surpassing the national average. Empowering the TGI workforce can address earnings gaps and foster overall wellness, productivity, and success — for TGI job seekers and society as a whole.
How to Celebrate Pride Month: Creating Equitable Access to Economic
Mobility Unlocking the Hidden Job Market Through Social Capital
Many employment opportunities are part of the hidden job market, filled through networking and referrals rather than public postings. For marginalized communities, including TGI individuals, accessing this market can be particularly challenging due to limited professional networks and systemic barriers. People and programs that help marginalized job seekers build social capital (robust professional connections) are essential steps toward overcoming these obstacles and fostering economic empowerment.
Providing Tailored Career Services for TGI-Inclusive Employment
Organizations that offer career services specifically for TGI job seekers can help them more successfully navigate the job market, find roles with inclusive employers, and land high-quality jobs that support economic security. For example, TransCanWork (TCW), a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, is dedicated to advancing workplace inclusion for TGI individuals through innovative training strategies and workforce development. TCW offers free career development services and collaborates with employers to provide trans-inclusive diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging training, along with other resources that support a more trans-inclusive workforce.
Beyond Hiring: Pay and Benefits Equity
Supporting economic empowerment for TGI workers means looking beyond just hiring. It requires addressing broader labor market inequalities, such as wage gaps and lack of benefits. LGBTQIA+ workers typically earn less than their cisgender, heterosexual peers, even with the same levels of education and experience. Transgender individuals in particular are at higher risk of experiencing poverty, especially trans women and people of color. LGBTQIA+ workers are more likely to have low-quality jobs that offer inadequate to no benefits packages, including essential paid leave and health care coverage. This creates barriers to preventive and interventive medical services — including gender-affirming health care — and overall wellness for these individuals. Not only does this leave them unable to do their best at work, but it can also result in more missed work days due to illness and reliance on tax-funded public health services. This, combined with wage inequality, makes TGI workers more likely to experience financial hardship.
Employer Engagement and Inclusive Practices
Employers play a crucial role in creating inclusive workplaces for TGI employees. Collaborations with organizations like TCW enable employers to receive training on trans-inclusive policies and practices, fostering environments where TGI workers can thrive. Implementing nondiscrimination policies and establishing supportive workplace cultures are essential steps toward inclusivity. Fostering a workplace culture rooted in inclusion benefits everyone, not just transgender employees. When transgender employees enjoy equal workplace rights and respect, all workers gain from the increased emphasis on equity, employee well-being, and diversity-informed practices. Supporting TGI workers isn’t a niche cause; it’s a strategy for building more resilient, just, and productive organizations.
Workforce Reentry Programs Supporting TGI Individuals
For TGI individuals who have been adversely impacted by the justice system, work reentry services, such as those offered by TCW’s Amity Foundation program, are vital in facilitating successful transitions back into the workforce. Second-chance hiring, or offering employment opportunities to individuals with criminal records, can be a powerful tool for advancing economic inclusion among marginalized groups, including members of the TGI community. Second-chance hires are often just as productive, if not more so, than workers without records. They also tend to stay longer in their jobs and bring valuable perspectives shaped by resilience and adaptability. For TGI individuals who have faced criminalization and incarceration due to systemic discrimination, second-chance hiring offers not only a path to stability but also a chance to fully participate in the workforce.
Economic empowerment for TGI workers necessitates comprehensive, intersectional support systems that address systemic barriers and promote inclusivity. Career services and reentry programs tailored to the unique needs of TGI individuals are instrumental in facilitating access to meaningful employment opportunities. By supporting organizations like TCW and advocating for inclusive employer practices, society can contribute to a more equitable and diverse workforce where TGI individuals have the opportunity to succeed and thrive.
Empower Trans People to Enjoy Work Pride With TCW
At TCW, we envision a world where the barriers to employment for transgender individuals are dismantled and where they can pursue fulfilling careers free from discrimination and prejudice. This vision encompasses several key elements that enable empowerment, equality, and dignity for transgender workers everywhere. We promote the implementation of policies that protect the rights of transgender workers, including nondiscrimination policies, health care coverage for gender-affirming treatments, and appropriate restroom and dress code accommodations.
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