Trans gender persons face severe discrimination in many areas of life, not least in employment, education, health care and leisure activities. A report published recently by the Human Rights Commissioner shows that attitudes towards trans gender persons show ignorance, prejudice and even hatred. The fact that “transsexualism” and “gender identity disorder” are often found in medical classifications for mental illness can stigmatise trans gender persons and restrict their decisions in the choice of treatment.

"Surveys have demonstrated that about half of trans gender persons hide their gender identity at work for fear of losing their job. Forty-one transphobic murders have been reported in Europe since 2008", says Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights in his latest Human Rights Comment published today (more...).