New HRC Data Finds Record High Americans Know a Transgender Person, Broad Bipartisan Support for Transgender Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, as the nation marks Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF) released new data underscoring the clear reality that transgender people are part of everyday American life and that Americans across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support the right for transgender people to live with dignity and equality. 

According to an analysis of a survey conducted by SRSS commissioned by the HRC Foundation, 41% of American adults say they personally know someone who is transgender. That’s a significant increase from previous estimates of roughly three in ten. At the same time, just 27% of Americans say they have had regular conversations with a transgender person in the past year, suggesting that while visibility is growing, meaningful engagement remains limited. This is important, because the data finds that people who know a transgender person — and especially those who report regular conversations with a transgender person — are more likely to support transgender equality. Frequency of contact matters. 

Despite ruthless political attacks, Americans of all backgrounds remain united on a core principle: transgender people should have the same rights and protections as everyone else. According to the new data, that belief crosses party lines, race, ethnicity, and gender with strong majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents supporting transgender equality in all aspects of everyday life – at work, when accessing healthcare, or attending school. In fact, 85% of Americans believe “Transgender people should have the same rights and protection as everyone else.” That includes 92% of Democrats, 76% of Republicans, and 87% of Independents, as well as:  

• People of all races and ethnic identities:
  • 85% of White (non-Hispanic) adults 
  • 87% of Black (non-Hispanic) adults 
  • 86% of Hispanic/Latine adults 
• Men and women:  
  • 86% Male  
  • 84% Female

The survey also found the following: 

• Nine in ten (89%) American adults agree that “transgender people should have the same ability as anyone else to get the healthcare they need.” 
  • Democrats: 94%
  • Republicans: 80%
  • Independent/Other: 90%
• Eight in ten (79%) American adults agree or strongly agree that “transgender people should be protected from discrimination in hiring and employment.” 
  • Democrats: 93%
  • Republicans: 65%
  • Independent/Other: 81%
• Eight in ten (83%) American adults agree or strongly agree that “transgender students should be protected from discrimination and harassment in schools.” 
  • Democrats: 95%
  • Republicans: 71% 
  • Independent/Other: 85% 

HRC’s focus on reclaiming the narrative from anti-equality voices — by centering real stories and expanding everyday visibility for transgender people — has helped drive the shift reflected in this data. Across workplaces, schools, and communities, that visibility builds understanding and support. The data is clear: when people know a transgender person, they’re more likely to stand with them. As with LGB acceptance, visibility isn’t incidental to progress — it’s what powers it, and HRC is helping drive that change.

This year’s TDOV comes amid a sustained, dangerous obsession with trans people by those in power, from restricting access to health care to limiting participation in public life and rolling back basic legal recognition at the federal and state levels. In just the last year, the transgender community has been subjected to an onslaught of state legislation, including Kansas’ novel law that invalidated essential identity documents, efforts by anti-equality politicians to add anti-transgender provisions to federal legislation like the voter-suppressive SAVE Act, and unrelenting scapegoating and smear campaigns from the highest levels of government. These attacks are not isolated, but part of a broader effort to divide communities and erode fundamental freedoms. 

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.