Introducation
Marginalized communities often experience oppression and social exclusion, resulting in feelings of helplessness and significant physical and psychological challenges, particularly in the absence of community and policy support. Existing social work literature highlights that transgender service users frequently face prejudice, and their needs and voices are commonly excluded or overlooked.
While years of advocacy in Hong Kong have led to anti-discrimination legislation and policy protections for certain marginalized groups, such as ethnic minorities and individuals with disabilities, no equivalent legal safeguards exist for gender-diverse populations. Consequently, social workers encounter unique challenges in understanding and responding to the needs of transgender service users.
For the purpose of this study, transgender service users are defined broadly to include non-cisgender and non-binary individuals. In recent years, transgender studies have generated new language and knowledge that provide valuable frameworks for social workers to develop professional and inclusive practices.
This paper examines evolving definitions of transgender identities in both local and international literature, analyzes concepts of transgender prejudice and minority stress, and draws on lived experiences to reflect on social work practice. It further explores strategies for challenging prejudice and discusses approaches to advancing the principle of equality in service delivery.
Full article: 郭勤(2024)：跨性別社會工作服務：挑戰偏見實踐平等，輯於陳綺媚等編《性/別與社會工作新論》，(頁 323-336)， 香港，香港城市大學出版社。
