5 Ways Countries Can Promote Transgender Rights as Human Rights As some governments pursue anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, all countries must protect transgender rights. July 9, 2021 Members of the LGBTQ+ community experience greater stigma and discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made these challenges worse. For people who identify as transgender, the risks of encountering violence and harrassment are higher than for others, making it necessary for governments to promote policies that support transgender rights. The transgender community faces unique challenges that traps them in the cycle of poverty. Because of discrimination that prevents them from securing a reliable source of income, some transgender people find jobs in the informal labor sector, which are often low-wage and more vulnerable than others. The rejection of transgender people by families, in addition to social stigma and a lack of institutional support, contributes to higher rates of homelessness.