The Effect of Police and Public Entanglements on Arrests of Transgender People

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people’s interactions with police are frequently shaped by transpho- bia and the enforcement of gender norms. These dynamics stem from longstanding patterns of biased policing, which con- tinue to frame TGNC people as suspicious or criminal. For example, research such as Serpe and Nadal’s 2017 article, “Perceptions of Police: Experiences in the Trans* Community,” in the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services demonstrates that police consistently rely on gendered and transphobic stereotypes to justify stopping and arresting TGNC individuals. This often results in dehumanizing treatment, including invasive identity checks, unnecessary searches, and the use of disrespectful language. Such encounters serve as entry points into the criminal legal system, leading to other severe outcomes, like physical and sexual assault while in custody, limited access to healthcare, barriers to employment, and increased risk of homelessness. In this context, gender nonconformity—whether in identity or expression—is often perceived as deceptive or deviant, making TGNC individuals more likely to experience surveillance, police contact, and criminalization.