Well-being of LGBT population

LGBT adults are more likely to experience lost income and anxiety than non-LGBT adults, and are more likely to be vaccinated.

Indicators of well-being for adult LGBT population, South

Mar 2 - Mar 14, 2022

Source: Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. Notes: Loss of employment income is % reporting a loss of employment income in the last 4 weeks for self or household member. Food insecurity is % of persons reporting "sometimes not enough to eat" or "often not enough to eat” in the last 7 days. Anxiety is % reporting frequency of symptoms is "more than half the days" or "nearly every day” in the last 2 weeks.

In the South, LGBT adults were more likely than non-LGBT adults to have recently lost employment income and experienced food insecurity. In addition, nearly twice as many LGBT adults experienced anxiety compared to non-LGBT adults. Many Southern states have advanced anti-gay legislation in recent months and a recent survey found these efforts have negatively impacted the mental health of LGBTQ youth.^1,2 The American Psychological Association specifically condemned Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill stating that it stigmatizes and marginalizes many children, which can lead to depression, anxiety and even suicide.³ In March, the U.S. Air Force announced it would provide mental health support as well as reassignment to other states for service members and their families affected by these laws.⁴

Notably, the recent Census Pulse Survey found that, in the South, LGBT adults were vaccinated at a higher rate than non-LGBT adults. Pre-pandemic research shows that LGBTQ people were more likely than non-LGBTQ people to delay seeking medical care because of out-of-pocket costs.⁵ Several factors may have influenced LGBT individuals’ greater uptake of the Covid vaccine, including previous experience organizing community care as a response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic,⁶ as well as government efforts to make Covid vaccination free and accessible.

LGBTQIA+ people remain unseen in many official statistics but the Census Bureau, through its Household Pulse Survey, is providing needed visibility on the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in America during the pandemic.

1. “Legislation Affecting LGBTQ Rights Across the Country 2021”. ACLU. https://www.aclu.org/legislation-affecting-lgbtq-rights-across-country-2021

2. “Issues Impacting LGBTQ Youth”. The Trevor Project. January, 2022. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TrevorProject_Public1.pdf

3. “APA president condemns Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill”. American Psychological Association. March, 2022. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/03/florida-dont-say-gay  

4. “Resources available for DAF members, families affected by local laws”. Air Force. March, 2022. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2977048/resources-available-for-daf-members-families-affected-by-local-laws/ 

5. “Southern LGBTQ Health Survey”. Nanney, Johnson, Polaski, and Beach-Ferrara. The Southern LGBTQ Health Initiative. November, 2019. https://southernequality.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/SouthernLGBTQHealthSurvey%E2%80%93FullReport.pdf 

6. “LGBTQ Spaces Led in Vaccine Requirements—40 Years After The HIV/AIDS Crisis”. Vogt. Washington City Paper. August, 2021.https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/529501/lgbtq-spaces-led-in-vaccine-requirements-40-years-after-the-hiv-aids-crisis/