Trans Rights

Rising anti‑trans hostility is creating a “dangerous and degrading” environment for trans people in the UK, new report warns

A new report from TransActual has delivered a stark warning that anti‑trans hatred is continuing to escalate in the UK, creating what researchers describe as an increasingly hostile and unsafe environment for trans people.

Trans Lives 2025: Continuing To Endure The Hostile Environment draws on one of the largest surveys of trans people in the country, with over 4,000 respondents taking part between December 2024 and January 2025. The research, led by Freddy Sperring and Dr Trent Grassian, examines access to healthcare, the ability to obtain appropriate identification documents, and the personal and societal impacts of rising transphobia.

Its findings point to widespread systemic failure. According to the report, trans people continue to face major barriers when attempting to access healthcare, including routine medical treatment unrelated to transition. Many respondents reported being refused care outright, solely because they are trans.

The picture emerging around public services and political discourse is equally bleak. An overwhelming 99% of respondents said that media coverage had harmed their mental health, while the same proportion reported hearing politicians express transphobic views. Advocacy groups say this reflects a political climate in which the rights and wellbeing of trans people have become a battleground rather than a priority.

Healthcare avoidance is becoming commonplace, with 64% of those surveyed saying they had chosen not to visit a GP even when unwell. Campaigners warn that this withdrawal from essential services is a direct result of fear, discrimination, and the expectation of poor treatment.

The report also highlights significant problems with access to appropriate identification documents. More than half of respondents - 56% - said they feel more unsafe because their ID does not reflect their gender identity. Forty per cent said they would prefer to have access to an ID that does not list gender at all. TransActual argues that the Government’s failure to modernise ID systems is placing trans people at increased risk, particularly in situations requiring identity verification.

One of the most alarming findings concerns housing insecurity: one in four trans people reported having experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. The report identifies transphobia, family rejection, and service discrimination as key contributing factors.

TransActual says the findings should serve as an urgent call for government action, arguing that the ongoing barriers to basic rights and services “represent a failure to respect the fundamental rights of trans people”. The organisation is urging policymakers to reform healthcare pathways, modernise ID processes, and commit to tackling the rise in anti‑trans sentiment across politics and the media.