With preliminary results now being analyzed in the province-wide Trans Pulse Project (TPP) researchers say they're finally getting statistics to back up what activists have been saying for years.

"Most disturbing is the extremely high numbers who are reporting having seriously considered suicide in their lives."

The initial results are based on the more than 200 responses that have been filled out since the survey into trans health was launched last February.

"When I said, 'I knew there were problems,' I had no idea," says TPP coinvestigator Michelle Boyce, who adds that the study looks at health in a broad sense. "We look at shelter, income, employment and housing.... We look at the whole picture that makes a person healthy or unhealthy."

"What is emerging is an extremely clear picture of the impact of social exclusion and discrimination on the lives of trans people in Ontario," says Pyne. "Despite being well-educated trans people report very low incomes, many at or near the poverty line; worries about losing their housing; and anxiety about having enough to eat and enough money to pay the bills. Trans people are reporting that they have been turned down for jobs or fired for being trans. They are moving to other cities for safety reasons and to access trans-sensitive services."

Read more: http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Trans_Pulse_peek_reveals_alarming_init...