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On the Margins of Marginalized: Transgender Homelessness and Survival Sex

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Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work

Published online on

Abstract

Transgender and gender-nonconforming (GNC) individuals experience homelessness at higher rates compared to the broader population, with many directly attributing homelessness to their transgender/GNC identities. Homeless individuals often engage in survival sex in exchange for food, housing, and other basic necessities. Few research efforts, however, have examined survival sex specifically among homeless transgender/GNC populations. Utilizing the 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey (N = 6,454), this exploratory study analyzes relationships between homelessness and survival sex among transgender/GNC individuals. Results suggest these individuals experience homelessness at high rates, and their engagement in survival sex is associated with homelessness. Implications for social work are subsequently discussed.