Date of Award

Winter 2022

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Sociology

Degree Name

Master of Arts

First Advisor

Rebecca Glauber

Second Advisor

Cliff Brown

Third Advisor

Thomas Safford

Abstract

There is a wide range of experiences among and between transgender, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) and disabled groups, but they all share histories of medicalization that result in marginalized health experiences and access to health care. To what extent do these health experiences and outcomes vary for U.S. adults with multiply marginalized intersectional identities? How, if at all, does the established moderating capability of education impact health outcomes for people who are transgender? Using data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, this study utilizes regression modelling to explore the interactions of race/ethnicity, disability, and education with gender identity. These interactions are associated with access to health care services, self-reported good health, and behaviors related to health and safety in meaningful ways. Notably, there are many reversals of outcomes. For example, the general Latina/o/x population is more likely to always use a seatbelt than the general white population, but transgender Latina/o/x adults are less likely to do so compared to transgender white adults. Also, the general population of adults with cognitive disabilities are more likely to drive while drunk than adults without disabilities, but the reverse is true for transgender adults with cognitive disabilities. What are the mediating factors that protect against drunk driving for multiply marginalized transgender adults with cognitive disabilities? These findings, and more, illustrate major gaps in existing health research and demonstrate how health outcomes and transgender identities are intimately and intricately intertwined.

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