Family Rejection, Socioeconomic Precarity, and Exchanging Sex for Food among Young Transgender Adults: Findings from the U.S. Transgender Survey

Abstract

This study explored factors associated with elevated risk of exchanging sex for food in young transgender adults in the U.S. We analyzed data from a sample of trans-gender adults (18-35 years old) who participated in the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Participants were asked if they had engaged in sexual activity for food within the past year or more than a year ago. Welfare participation, family rejection, and experience of homelessness were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of exchanging sex for food. Young transgender adults with multiple marginalized identities, such as identifying as Black or African American, presenting a non-normative gender expression, and living with a disability, were at higher risk of engaging in sex for food. Our study underscores family rejection and socioeconomic precarity, which may erode the social support and safety net of young transgender adults, preventing them from affording and accessing adequate food.