In addition to violence and discrimination, the transgender community faces a challenge that few others do: the fact that the federal government collects almost no data about the trans community. The absence of reliable data about the realities experienced by the transgender community makes it harder for the community to fight for justice. In the absence of government-collected data about the trans community, one particular resource has helped fill the void: the U.S. Trans Survey.

Seth Johnstone, Transgender Justice Program Manager with Basic Rights Oregon, discusses the importance of increasing visibility and awareness of the transgender community, as well as the importance of the U.S. Trans Survey.