Trans* Coalition conducted a survey about the needs of trans and non-binary people of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region from March 25th through April 5th, 2020. At the closing of the survey it was completed by 325 trans and non-binary people aged 14 to 60.

Average age of the survey participants is 27 years.

Survey participants are based in 10 countries of EECA region, in the EU and other countries. Majority of participants reside permanently or temporarily in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan. Only one-third of the survey participants are not representing cross-groups (i.e. groups that may add additional layers of vulnerability). The rest of the survey participant belong to a cross-group. One-third of all the participants consider themselves poor. Many of them have health issues including compromised immune system, disabilities, chronic conditions, HIV, post-surgical health issues. Around 6% of the survey participants are sex workers and around the same number are migrants, around 5% use drugs.

Challenges that trans and non-binary people encounter during the pandemic of COVID-19

When asked to choose three major challenges, survey participants noted decrease in their income and unemployment. 13% reported worsening of their psychological wellbeing. Around the same nymber of people reported challenges connected to healthcare, need for doctors, medical information and fear of hospitals.

Moreover, trans and non-binary people reported lack of access to prescriptions for hormones, increasing prices for hormones and difficulties in purchasing hormones due to financial issues. A numbe of people have difficulties with paying their loans, debts and rent for housing.

Almost 4% of the participants (52 out of 325) reported living in an abusive situation including psychological and physical violence.