“The Untold Side of COVID-19”: Struggle and Perspectives of the Sexual Minorities

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has threatened global public health. Travel has been restricted, economies slashed, borders sealed, and billions quarantined at their residences, in an attempt to contain the outbreak. Social distancing and lockdown measures have disrupted human lives in terms of social relationships and emotional bonds. Every individual is facing unique challenges to cope with these unprecedented times. However, certain sections of the population, like the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community, are particularly vulnerable to not only the infective risks of the virus, but also the psycho-social offshoots of the global lockdown and the pandemic aftermath. The various factors range from the immunocompromised state, increased comorbidities of sexually transmitted diseases, other chronic medical disorders and substance abuse, as well as reduced access to health care, to stigma and social discrimination, administrative apathy, economic constraints, and uncertainty of social rituals like the Pride Celebrations. These can lead to the underdetection of the viral load, increased physiological risks to COVID-19, decreased help-seeking, and inequality in health and legal care. Their emotional and psychosexual well-being also gets impaired, with increased risks for psychiatric disorders and suicidality. Keeping these factors in the background, this article glances at the disproportionate risk related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the sexual minorities, explores the psycho-social factors behind the same, and highlights specific ways to mitigate these risks for better care. Adopting a rights-based perspective for the LGBTQ community through public health measures during such crises can help reduce stigma and promote their social inclusion.

“The Graying Minority”: Lived Experiences and Psychosocial Challenges of Older Transgender Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic in India, A Qualitative Exploration

“…The Indian Pandemic Act of 1897, needs to be overhauled to consider the needs of both seniors and the transgender population, which could help preparedness for similar crises in the future. Banerjee and Nair ( 23 ) have discussed the different “vulnerability areas” of transgender individuals during the COVID-19 crisis and suggested interventions to mitigate physiological risks, social discrimination, sexual stigma, substance abuse, and to preserve psychological well-being, economic stability, sexual health, and gender-based equality. The authors highlight the unique needs of the elderly LGBTQ population and foreground the need to prevent ageism, stigma, and appropriate social rehabilitation measures.…”

“…They contribute to the “minority stress” of marginalized populations like the homeless, migrants, socially impoverished, and especially the Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as already postulated during the ongoing outbreak. These include social insecurity, unemployment, experiences of racism, prejudice and xenophobia, lack of social welfare benefits, precarious work, increased risk of infection due to lack of precautionary measures and overcrowding, and most importantly, lack of knowledge and awareness related to the pandemic and its related issues ( 23 , 24 ).…”

“…The resultant “minority” stress has been explained in terms of the Health, Stigma, and Discrimination model ( 33 ), where facilitators like disasters, societal apathy, and prejudice toward age-related and sexual minorities can eventually led to detrimental psychosocial outcomes during crises ( 23 ).…”

Life in a pandemic: intersectional approach exploring experiences of LGBTQ during COVID-19

“…To restrict the transmission of virus governments and leadership worldwide imposed measures like lockdown, social distancing, travel bans, isolation, and quarantine. Though the coronavirus disease does not discriminate between people, the impacts of preventive measures were experienced and felt differently across various sections of the society, particularly in sexual minorities (Banerjee & Nair, 2020). For sexual minorities, their workplaces are a medium of escape from their homes where they can socialise and have informal interactions.…”

“…For sexual minorities, their workplaces are a medium of escape from their homes where they can socialise and have informal interactions. Lockdown and stay at home measures restricted the movement of people (Banerjee & Nair, 2020), and in this way, the only escape for sexual minorities was also blocked. The sudden shifts in social systems functioning and imposed restrictions on people's movement produced devastating psychological effects.…”