The National Center for Transgender Equality just released early insights from their 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey and the data is overwhelmingly clear: 94% of trans Americans said that they were happier than ever post-transition.
Over 92,000 trans people who identified as binary or nonbinary were surveyed, making this the biggest data set ever collected on trans Americans.
Educator and content creator Flint (@justflintisfine) shared that they were one of the people who completed the 605-question survey two years back. In a TikTok video, Flint broke down why exactly the results were so meaningful.
First, Flint pointed out that the last major survey of its kind — conducted in 2015 — was remarkably smaller; out of two million trans Americans, only 27,000 responded. In this most recent study, the data pool tripled in size.
“That tells me that there’s not significantly more of us, but that we are a lot more connected,” Flint explained.
The study also contextualizes the living situations and wellbeing of trans people, many of whom have experienced discrimination, medical trauma, and school and workplace harassment.
“A third of us have experienced homelessness,” Flint said, citing the study. “That’s almost four times the rate of the rest of the country.”
And yet, according to the report, 94% of transgender individuals who transitioned — both socially and medically — were “a lot” (79%) or “a little more satisfied” (15%) with their lives.
“98% of those of us on hormones say we are more satisfied with our life,” Flint added. “And that number is almost identical for trans affirming surgeries.”
The U.S. Transgender Survey’s early insights report comes at a vital time, as lawmakers place an increasing number of restrictions on hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries — not just for trans youth, but for adults as well.
Flint even pointed out that the majority of respondents were over the age of 25, dismantling a common misconception that most trans people are simply “confused teenagers.”
Above all, Flint said that this survey affirms the lived experiences of trans people across the country.
“This is almost 100,000 people,” Flint stressed. “This is real data now for parents who are scared that their trans kids’ lives are over. … It’s in one place now and the methodology is sound, comprehensive, and peer-reviewed.”
Flint, a Florida-based educator, also said this was a huge win for teachers who are “still trying to fight for the right to recognize their students.”
Before their video came to close, Flint held back tears as they talked about the beauty of trans joy.
“I think I’m gonna cry,” Flint said. “We’re out there alive and happy anyway, even though so many people don’t want us to be.”
Beneath Flint’s video, people shared the validation they felt from the results of the study.
“My son’s smile has never been brighter since he started transitioning and as a mom, my heart could not be happier seeing him happy,” a TikTok user shared.
“I just got top surgery three weeks ago,” said a commenter. “The amount of relief I’ve felt already is unbelievable.”
Another user wrote: “Despite everything I face after being out, I am significantly more happy.”
Header images courtesy of @justflintisfine/TikTok and the National Center for Transgender Equality