Social Support and Trans Communities in Maryland: Implications for Social Support and Bereavement Resources, Policies, and Practices

Abstract

The Maryland Trans Survey is a community-based research project conducted by Trans Maryland and the Queer/Trans Collective for Research on Equity and Wellness examining experiences of trans people in the State of Maryland in areas such as health and healthcare, employment and economic wellbeing, and legal and policy experiences. To date, it is the largest survey of trans people in the State, with 750 trans people representing all 23 counties in Maryland and Baltimore City. Data were collected from June to December 2023 through in-person and online community outreach. The project was approved by Towson University’s Institutional Review Board (Protocol #1897) and used Transgender Research Informed Consent (TRICON) Disclosures to provide trans community members with additional transparency on the project, recognizing long histories of harmful practices in trans research from scientific institutions. This brief contains data on experiences of social support among trans communities from the Maryland Trans Survey. This brief also discusses research implications for social support and bereavement resources, policies, and practices so that advocates, policymakers, and community organizations can better understand and address the current needs of trans people in Maryland.