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Abstract:

Transgender people are socially, economically, and demographically diverse. Previous studies, however, have not addressed the gender differences of transgender people with regard to their social service needs. Analyzing data from needs assessment surveys conducted in Philadelphia and Chicago, this study explored gender differences in social service needs of 184 transgender people. The results show that four of the reported needs for social services (job training, legal services, housing, and welfare benefits) did not differ significantly between Male-to-Female (MTF) and Female-to-Male (FTM) respondents. Gender difference in the need for counseling could be accounted for by education and the city in which surveys were conducted. Significant gender differences here identified in the needs for parenting skills, family planning and child care, however. FTM respondents had significantly higher levels of need for these services than MTF respondents, and the significant gender differences remained even after controlling for age, race, education, city, income, living arrangement, unemployment status, and parenting status.

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Vol. 31 Issue 3, p1-22 22p