🔗 Share this article

Individuals who do not fit standard classifications of man or woman are grappling with an “troubling” upsurge in hostility, according to the European Union’s key human rights body.

Survey Reveals Significant Increase in Violence

This survey, which gathered input from over 1,900 participants across three dozen European countries, focused on people describing themselves as gender-diverse.

Data showed since 2019, instances of violence and targeting have risen dramatically—notably among people identifying as gender nonconforming.

34% of those surveyed indicated experiencing physically or sexually assaulted in the period before the study, compared to less than a quarter in five years ago.

Reported bias-driven targeting increased drastically to a overwhelming majority from 2019 to 2023.

Clinical Treatments Without Clear Permission

Over 50% of participants, specifically 57%, stated experiencing surgery or healthcare practices intended to alter their biological features without their informed consent.

Furthermore, 39% indicated experiencing so-called conversion practices aimed at their attraction or gender, compared with a level of 25 percent within all LGBTQ+ groups.

Root Causes: Disinformation and Online Hatred

This rise in abuse has been connected to a wider atmosphere of ongoing bigotry and bias,” as well as aggressive web-based smear tactics.

These efforts have “weaponised” the gender-diverse community, promoting misleading narratives that fuel hatred and legitimise exclusion.

“Misinformation efforts promoting intolerance are commonly conducted by foreign and domestic actors seeking to weaken European societies and core values like respect, fairness, and diversity.”

Consequences on Mental Health

The study cautioned that exclusion has profound effects for intersex persons, causing severe isolation and dire life situations like homelessness, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts.

A majority of non-binary people, specifically 53%, indicated thinking about suicide during the last year, a percentage notably greater than the general rate of over one-third reported within other queer populations.

Calls to Action

The EU agency has called on governments to incorporate biological variations to protected grounds in equality laws and to do more to tackle hate crimes and hostile language targeting intersex persons.

“Gender-Diverse persons in the European Union experience alarming rates of isolation, prejudice, and abuse. It is essential they are given tailored help that responds to their specific requirements to make certain they can exercise their basic freedoms and thrive with respect.”