“We matter and are experts”: testimonios of structural violence and survival among transgender Latinas in Los Angeles County

Background Transgender communities experience disproportionate criminalization and marginalization that impacts their access to basic needs and social services. This study examines how discrimination at the structural level influences determinants of health for transgender Latinas.Methods Conducted in partnership with the TransLatin@ Coalition, this qualitative study utilized testimonios– first-person narratives centering lived experiences and knowledge–with nine transgender Latinas in Los Angeles County.Findings Four themes emerged from the testimonios: (1) Structural discrimination as a barrier for health equity; (2) Sisterhood among transgender Latinas is critical for survival; (3) State violence as a structural driver of health; (4) Educational aspirations and economic conditions.Conclusion Structural and political forces manifested through structural transphobia, healthcare exclusion, and neglect produce layered forms of structural violence and disposability for transgender Latinas. The testimonios clarify collective practices that sustain survival and envision a thriving future. Public health interventions must address these structural forces while supporting community organizations that provide affirming care and resources that governmental systems fail to provide.