More than half (51 per cent) of transgender (trans) people have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination, according to LGBT charity Stonewall.
The organisation said its poll has revealed the “shocking impact of widespread transphobia” in Britain.
In a survey of 871 trans and non-binary people (those who identify neither as male or female), one in eight (12 per cent) have been physically attacked by a colleague or customer in the past year, while a quarter (25 per cent) have experienced homelessness.
Discrimination continues in out-of-office hours, with a third of trans people saying they have been discriminated against because of their gender identity when visiting a café, restaurant, bar, or nightclub.
The report follows news that the UK Government is due to launch a consultation on reform of the Gender Recognition Act this year.
Ruth Hunt, Chief Executive of Stonewall, said: “This report exposes the devastating levels of discrimination and abuse that many trans people are subject to across all areas of their lives. It’s shameful that in Britain everyday activities like going to a café, having a peaceful day at work or accessing decent healthcare are made impossible for people simply because of who they are.
“As we approach the consultation on the reform of the Gender Recognition Act, much of the public discussion has descended into vile, distorted and cruelly targeted transphobia. This report shows that this kind of commentary is not without consequence – it has a real and profoundly negative impact on the real-life experiences of trans people.”
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