The impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ community: Comparisons between cisgender, heterosexual people, cisgender sexual minority people, and gender minority people

Abstract

There is a dearth of public health data and research focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) populations during the coronavirus (“COVID”) pandemic. This study evaluated how COVID has impacted health, social, and occupational areas of functioning of the LGBTQ+ community. A community survey was distributed via email by local LGBTQ+ community organizations between September and December 2020. Participants (cisgender, heterosexual people, n =63; cisgender sexual minority people, n =184; and gender minority people, n =74) were asked how COVID has impacted their life circumstances (i.e., physical health, mental health, financial stability, meeting basic needs, and social connectedness). A multivariate analysis of covariance was tested with these groups, demographic and HIV serostatus variables as independent variables and covariates, and outcomes as dependent variables. Compared to cisgender, heterosexual people, significantly more cisgender sexual minority people reported worsening physical health, and significantly more gender minority people reported worsening of all outcomes. Significantly more gender minority people reported worsening financial stability than cisgender sexual minority people. COVID has contributed to a worsening of life circumstances among the LGBTQ+ community, especially for gender minority people. More research is needed to create proactive, equitable, culturally-focused responses and interventions to pandemics.

Associations between the Self-Reported Likelihood of Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine, Likelihood of Contracting COVID-19, Discrimination, and Anxiety/Depression by Sexual Orientation

“…LGBTQ persons have a greater incidence asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, substance use, and mental health symptoms—all of which are associated with minority stressors (e.g., discrimination, stigma) and predispose them to COVID-19 morbidity and mortality [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Furthermore, it has been reported in studies conducted in the US that LGBTQ adults were more likely to experience worsening physical and mental health compared to non-LGBTQ adults during the pandemic [ 6 , 8 , 12 ]. For instance, a study utilizing a national sample of US adults found loneliness, stress, psychological distress, and quality of life were worse among sexual minority individuals compared with non-sexual minority persons [ 8 ].…”

“…Prior to the pandemic, LGBTQ communities reported poorer healthcare access and quality (e.g., lack of insurance, financial constraints, medical mistrust due to discrimination), greater discrimination and stigma, and higher rates of poverty, unemployment, incarceration, and housing instability compared to non-LGBTQ people [ 9 , 13 , 14 ]. During the pandemic, LGBTQ adults have experienced greater job loss, financial instability, lack of basic needs, social isolation, and barriers to healthcare access [ 6 , 12 , 15 ]. LGBTQ individuals with intersectional identities, such as those who are also part of a racial/ethnic minority group, are at even greater risk [ 4 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Biographical ruptures by the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent and young trans men and transmasculine people: demands for nursing

“…This phase of life is consonant with the beginning of expressions of violence and aggression in their lives 3 , 41 - 42 . Not responding to the wishes and norms of the families is the first major obstacle experienced by these people 43 . For these reasons, suicidal behavior becomes common in the trans community, especially during youth, associated with the vexatious and violent situations to which they are exposed, causing melancholy, egodystonia, and deep sadness 44 .…”

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Assessment of Sexual Life—Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys among Polish Adults in 2017, 2020 and 2021

“…The imposed social distancing might have had an impact not only on psychological distress, but also on a quality of life. The population most at risk for this adverse impact were people from sexual and gender minorities [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Moreover, a relatively higher prevalence of psychological, physical, and sexual violence against women was noted [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”