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Navigating Microaggressions, Overt Discrimination, and Institutional Oppression: Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People and the Criminal Justice System

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Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to uncover how transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people perceive and experience the criminal justice (CJ) system. The chapter focuses primarily on the types of discrimination and bias TGNC encounter and how those experiences impact their perceptions and interactions with different sectors of the CJ system. Over the past ten years, multiple scholars have described the various microaggressions faced by LGBTQ people, as well as the negative impact of these microaggressions on LGBTQ people’s mental health. Findings from this qualitative study (N = 11) affirm that TGNC people are highly marginalized and are systemically discriminated against. Results point to the need for transgender-affirmative competency training programs for police officers and other liaisons of the legal system.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this study was provided by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Office for the Advancement of Research.

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Nadal, K.L., Erazo, T., Fiani, C.N., Murillo Parilla, M.C., Han, H. (2018). Navigating Microaggressions, Overt Discrimination, and Institutional Oppression: Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People and the Criminal Justice System. In: Cho, C., Corkett, J., Steele, A. (eds) Exploring the Toxicity of Lateral Violence and Microaggressions. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74760-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74760-6_4

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74759-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74760-6

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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