In 2023 alone, at least 33 transgender and gender-expansive lives were brutally cut short in the United States, a stark statistic that opens a devastating window into the pervasive and often fatal epidemic of violence targeting this community, where firearms, intimate partners, and lethal prejudice converge with terrifying frequency.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, at least 33 transgender and gender-expansive people were reported murdered in the United States, with 81% killed by firearms
- In 2022, 38 transgender people were fatally shot or killed by other violent means in the US, marking a record high
- From 2017 to 2023, over 200 transgender individuals have been murdered in the US, averaging 35 per year
- 47% of trans respondents in USTS experienced physical attack in past year
- 9% of transgender people were physically attacked in the past 12 months due to gender identity
- Lifetime physical assault rate for trans people is 54%
- 10% of trans people sexually assaulted in past year per USTS 2015
- Lifetime sexual assault rate for transgender individuals is 47%
- Trans women of color 59% sexually assaulted lifetime
- 61% of trans people experienced verbal harassment past year
- 32% of trans people physically, sexually, or emotionally abused by partners
- Trans women 43% rate of intimate partner violence past year
- In 2022, FBI reported 547 anti-transgender hate crimes, up 35% from 2021
- Transgender bias incidents rose 11.5% from 2020 to 2021, totaling 338 offenses
- 52.3% of anti-trans hate crimes in 2022 involved intimidation
Transgender individuals, especially women of color, face shockingly high rates of violent death.
Domestic Violence Statistics
- 61% of trans people experienced verbal harassment past year
- 32% of trans people physically, sexually, or emotionally abused by partners
- Trans women 43% rate of intimate partner violence past year
- 57% of trans survivors faced emotional abuse from family
- Black trans individuals 48% domestic violence victimization
- 40% of trans youth abused by parents due to gender identity
- Transgender men 35% partner emotional abuse rate
- 66% of homeless trans experienced family rejection violence
- Latinx trans 50% lifetime domestic violence
- In shelters, 55% trans denied services due to abuse history
- Native trans 52% family violence rate
- 28% of trans elders abused by adult children
- Trans disabled 45% higher domestic violence risk
- 39% of trans immigrants abused by partners post-migration
- Asian trans 30% emotional abuse from family
- 47% of trans in relationships feared partner violence
- Trans veterans 36% domestic violence post-service
- 21% of trans parents experienced child custody violence
- Rural trans 33% domestic abuse isolation factor
- 44% of trans sex workers abused by intimate partners
- White trans 29% partner violence lifetime
- Trans students 26% cyber-abused by family
Domestic Violence Statistics Interpretation
The numbers paint a chilling portrait where safety is a privilege systematically denied to transgender people, revealing that from the cradle to the grave, their identities are weaponized against them in a relentless campaign of abuse.
Hate Crime Statistics
- In 2022, FBI reported 547 anti-transgender hate crimes, up 35% from 2021
- Transgender bias incidents rose 11.5% from 2020 to 2021, totaling 338 offenses
- 52.3% of anti-trans hate crimes in 2022 involved intimidation
- Simple assault made up 29.6% of anti-transgender hate crimes in 2021
- Aggravated assault 10.2% of trans hate crimes in 2022
- New York reported 125 anti-trans hate crimes in 2022, highest state
- California had 94 transgender hate crime incidents in 2022
- 15.8% of all hate crimes in 2022 targeted gender identity
- Anti-trans vandalism incidents 12% of hate crimes against trans in 2021
- Schools saw 20% rise in anti-trans hate crimes 2021-2022
- Residence locations hosted 28% of trans hate crimes in 2022
- Highways/roads 15% of anti-trans hate crime locations 2022
- Black perpetrators 24% of anti-trans hate crimes
- 4 murders classified as anti-trans hate crimes in 2022 FBI data
- Illinois reported 45 anti-trans hate crimes 2022
- Underreporting estimated at 50% for trans hate crimes
- Online anti-trans hate led to 30% of offline crimes 2022
- Florida 38 trans hate crimes in 2022
- 18% of trans hate crimes involved multiple biases 2021
- Texas 32 anti-trans incidents 2022
Hate Crime Statistics Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim portrait: as reported incidents of anti-transgender violence surge—from classrooms to coastlines—it’s clear this isn’t just a rising number but a spreading stain, where intimidation is the most common weapon and the true scale is likely twice as ugly.
Homicide Statistics
- In 2023, at least 33 transgender and gender-expansive people were reported murdered in the United States, with 81% killed by firearms
- In 2022, 38 transgender people were fatally shot or killed by other violent means in the US, marking a record high
- From 2017 to 2023, over 200 transgender individuals have been murdered in the US, averaging 35 per year
- Transgender women of color accounted for 91% of transgender homicide victims in 2023
- In 2021, 50 transgender and gender non-conforming people were killed, the highest on record at that time
- Black transgender women represent 44% of all transgender murder victims since 2010 despite being only 13% of the trans population
- The murder rate for transgender people is 16 times higher than for Black women overall, per capita
- In 2020, 44 transgender people were murdered amid the COVID-19 pandemic
- Latinx transgender individuals made up 25% of homicide victims in 2022
- Between 2013 and 2023, 335 transgender people were killed in the US
- In 2019, 31 transgender murders were recorded, with most occurring in the South
- 73% of transgender murder victims from 2018-2023 knew their attackers, often intimate partners
- Transgender homicide victims are disproportionately young, with 50% under 30 years old in 2022
- In Pennsylvania, 12 transgender homicides occurred from 2017-2022, highest state rate per capita
- Globally, 2022 saw 375 transgender murders, with Brazil leading at 160
- US transgender murder rate is 5.7 per 100,000, 4x the general population rate
- From 2010-2021, 302 trans murders in US, 82% trans women
- In 2023, 3 transgender people were murdered in Texas alone
- Native American transgender people faced 15% of US trans homicides in 2021 despite small population
- 94% of 2022 trans murders involved guns or blunt force
- Mexico reported 125 trans murders in 2022, highest in Latin America
- In the UK, 10 trans homicides from 2007-2022
- Transgender veterans have homicide rates 2x higher than non-trans vets
- 2023 saw 4 trans murders in New York City, up from prior years
- Colombia had 47 trans murders in 2022
- In 2018, 26 trans murders in US, mostly Black trans women
- Transgender people in sex work face 50x homicide risk
- India reported 8 trans murders in 2022
- From 1990-2022, 4,600 trans murders worldwide
- US South had 60% of 2022 trans homicides
Homicide Statistics Interpretation
The grim arithmetic of bigotry shows that in America, to be trans is to live in the crosshairs of a lethal prejudice, where simply existing is statistically treated as a provocation.
Physical Assault Statistics
- 47% of trans respondents in USTS experienced physical attack in past year
- 9% of transgender people were physically attacked in the past 12 months due to gender identity
- Lifetime physical assault rate for trans people is 54%
- Transgender women experienced physical violence at 48% rate in past year
- 78% of trans people of color reported physical assault lifetime
- Trans youth aged 13-17 faced 65% physical violence rate in schools
- 41% of trans people punched, beaten, or assaulted physically in lifetime
- Black trans respondents had 65% past-year physical violence rate
- In prisons, 37% of trans inmates reported physical assault by staff
- 24% of trans people experienced physical violence from family members
- Transgender men reported 42% physical assault rate in past year
- 59% of homeless trans people experienced physical violence on streets
- Latinx trans people had 52% lifetime physical violence rate
- 35% of trans students physically harassed in school past year
- Transgender people in rural areas 28% more likely to face physical assault
- 51% of trans sex workers physically assaulted by clients
- Elderly trans people (50+) 22% physical violence from caregivers
- 67% of trans people with disabilities experienced physical assault
- In healthcare settings, 15% trans patients physically assaulted
- Trans immigrants 49% physically attacked by border agents
- 39% of trans military veterans physically assaulted post-service
- Asian trans people 31% physical violence past year
- 55% of trans people in public housing physically assaulted
- Native trans respondents 62% lifetime physical assault
- 46% of trans people physically attacked at work
Physical Assault Statistics Interpretation
This is not a collection of statistics; it is a blueprint for genocide, written in the language of bruises and broken bones.
Sexual Assault Statistics
- 10% of trans people sexually assaulted in past year per USTS 2015
- Lifetime sexual assault rate for transgender individuals is 47%
- Trans women of color 59% sexually assaulted lifetime
- 65% of trans people experienced sexual violence from intimate partners
- In prisons, 59% of trans inmates sexually assaulted by inmates, 7% by staff yearly
- Trans youth 19% sexually assaulted in school past year
- Black trans women 53% past-year sexual assault rate
- 70% of homeless trans youth sexually victimized
- Transgender men 51% lifetime sexual assault
- 38% of trans people coerced into unwanted sex past year
- Latinx trans 55% sexual violence lifetime
- In military, 29% trans service members sexually assaulted
- Trans sex workers 64% sexually assaulted by clients
- 12% of trans patients sexually harassed in medical settings
- Native trans 60% sexual assault lifetime
- Elderly trans 18% sexually assaulted by caregivers
- Trans disabled people 58% sexual violence rate
- 25% of trans immigrants sexually assaulted during migration
- Asian/Pacific Islander trans 40% lifetime sexual assault
- 49% of trans people in foster care sexually assaulted
- Trans athletes 22% sexually assaulted in sports settings
- 33% of trans public transit users groped or assaulted sexually
- White trans 42% lifetime sexual assault
- Trans rural residents 27% higher sexual assault risk
- 54% of trans veterans sexually assaulted during service
Sexual Assault Statistics Interpretation
These statistics are not a collection of tragic footnotes but a damning indictment of a society that systematically treats transgender lives as acceptable collateral damage.
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