DC is known as one of the country's most LGB-friendly cities, and now the DC Trans Coalition is working to make it one of the T-friendliest cities too. For two years DCTC has been laying the groundwork to conduct the first study and needs assessment of DC's transgender, transsexual and gender non-conforming population in over a decade.

Its stated goal is to "gain insight [into] our communities' access to trans-sensitive mental and physical health care, employment, housing, education, and immigration and documentation status."

Previous survey work by DCTC has revealed serious inequalities in the lives of trans individuals in DC. A 2009 study found that 63 of 93 self-identifying trans people - more than two-thirds - had been denied access to, verbally harassed in, and/or physically assaulted in public bathrooms. Over 50 percent of respondents reported that they avoided going out in public due to a lack of safe restroom facilities, and a similar number reported health issues such as UTIs and kidney problems as a result of avoiding public restrooms.

DCTC is aiming to survey 500 people self-identifying as transgender in DC, and can also use support in other ways. See their survey in English or Spanish. See more of their research here, and give them a like on Facebook and a follow on Twitter! DCTC can be reached at DCTransNeeds@gmail.com.