Why are the rates so high?

Suicide is a huge issue in the transgender community. 41 percent in the US alone have attempted suicide. If that weren't enough, 19 percent of transgenders have been refused medical care, and 2 percent have been physically assaulted in a doctor's office.

If suicide weren't enough, 2.64 percent of transgendered people report being infected with HIV, this being 4 times higher than the national average of 0.6 percent. On top of that, mental disorders are more widespread among the LGBTQ community. And the answer to the question why, is because of all the prejudice, stigma, and hostility towards this group.

If battling suicidal thoughts, drug and alcohol abuse, mental disorders, and for some, HIV weren't enough, job security is also on the line. There is no anti-discriminatory rule that prohibits letting a transgendered people go simply because they decided to go ahead and change. This, in fact, contributes to their health problems. All these statistics, and more, can be found by clicking here.

Why are these rates so unbelievably high? They are all more than triple the American national average. I think the question should be, would the rates be lower if there were less prejudice, and more acceptance among society? In my opinion, I think the answer would be yes. Any group under these circumstances would react this way, and to ridicule a group for having such problems that has been created for them, not by them, is also a huge issue. Has no one considered that perhaps these individuals require a sex change to lead productive lives?

(Image taken from Live Science)