TGEU
Countries: Hungary
Also high (29%) was the number of people who felt
students or to raise awareness of the problems faced by
discriminated against at their educational institution or
trans kids.
workplace.
in a back storage room and, adapting to the situation,
I voluntarily begin earlier and finish later, which is an
extra factor that could lead me to be attacked.
Based on the Háttér Society’s 2010 LGBT survey, disThe results on reporting rates in this survey are similar to
crimination against trans people is not only widespread
those of the TransCare survey. Only 9 per cent of those
in education but also at the workplace. Most of the
and the salary would be also lower elsewhere. If I filed a
who felt discriminated against had filed an official com-
respondents reported being the target of lies and gos-
complaint against the company, the situation would only
plaint. Only one of the complaints led to the perpetra-
sip by co-workers and bosses (80%), and being faced
get worse: even though I have rights, they just cannot
tor being held accountable. Most of the victims did not
by a transphobic work environment overall (76%). A
be enforced. I see no other solution than to endure and
launch a complaint because they distrusted authorities.
fair number (27%) of those reporting discrimination
cautiously make small complaints from time to time.
In my profession, it would be difficult to find another job,
launched a complaint. Of these cases, three led to the
Every fourth trans respondent (29%) felt discriminated
perpetrator being held accountable, but in three others
against in educational institutions. The most common
the complaint was not dealt with properly, and in anoth-
form of discrimination in schools is being the target of
er case it did not yield any results.
Almost half of the incidents recorded within the frame-
gossip and lies (84%) and bullying or harassment by peers
(75%). 41 per cent of those discriminated against at school
From time to time, my boss still wants to shake my
work of the ProTrans project involved discrimination.
reported being discriminated against and/or humiliated by
hand and calls me by my male name. I was recognised
Among those, eight happened in the healthcare system,
their teachers as well, while 47 per cent reported physical
professionally before my transition, but since then I have
and six of those were related to trans-specific healthcare;
not been permitted to make independent decisions.
two happened in schools when the victims tried to ob-
Whenever there is any conflict, I am implicitly threatened
tain new certificates after legal gender recognition; two
for being transgender, so it is better to hold myself back.
happened at the workplace; one involved direct discrim-
abuse by peers and 13 per cent by teachers.
+ 42 +
A, trans woman
nosis when the diagnosis is in fact a prerequisite for le-
For trans minors, it is impossible to be called by their pre-
gal gender recognition. One surgeon chose his patients
ferred name at school or to be treated as belonging to
After my gender change, I used the men’s restroom for a
ination during the legal gender-recognition process; one
in discriminatory ways and often made derogatory
their preferred gender, and the possibility of legal gen-
while, but because I was the one asked to clean it all the
happened in a bank; and one took place in a shop.
remarks. No trans-specific information is provided to
der recognition is closed to them. The Hungarian legal
time I decided to use the women’s restroom. One of my
healthcare professionals during their education, and the
system (and Hungarian society more generally) is very
female co-workers became furious that I was using the
lack of knowledge results in discrimination.
strict on names and even nicknames: there are two sets
women’s restroom and changing room. Because of this,
of lists for first names, one for females and the other for
my immediate superior, despite my protest, arranged
1. A trans man wanted to change his high-school diplo-
For the record
According to the Háttér Society’s 2010 LGBT survey
males, and the first name has to match the person’s le-
for me to use a bathroom on a different floor with the
ma to reflect his changed gender and name. He was
(see below for more details), more than half of the
gal gender. There are no gender-neutral names at all. In
workers there. I was afraid being attacked there, even
asked to present a notarised document on top of what
trans respondents (55%) felt discriminated against for
the case of minors, this situation gives rise to bullying,
if only verbally, so I did not use it. Secretly, I went to
is legally required for the change, and the administrator
expressing their gender identity. Of those who experi-
discrimination and violence in all spheres of life, mostly
the men’s room or went to the bathroom outside, next
told him that the school would never refer to him by his
enced discrimination, every second person (48%) expe-
in schools. There is no objective information on gender
to the fence. I am using the women’s bathroom now,
new name, and that regardless of whatever healthcare
rienced it in public places, and every third when visiting
identity or gender expression in school curricula to en-
because I raised the issue with another superior of mine
a café, restaurant, bar, nightclub (31%) or shop (30%).
courage respect and understanding among staff and
and mentioned the possibility of a lawsuit. I still dress
services he received, he would never look like a man.
+ 43 +