LGBTQ+ Americans are more likely than the general population to live in poverty and lack access to adequate medical care during COVID-19. We are also more vulnerable to the health risks of the virus.
Some health stats:
🏳️🌈 17% of LGBTQ+ people lack health coverage
🏳️🌈 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people have not seen a doctor because they can't afford to
🏳️🌈 37% of LGBTQ+ adults smoke every day (compared to 27% of non-LGBTQ people)
🏳️🌈 21% of LGBTQ+ people have asthma (compared to 14% of non-LGBTQ people)
We are more likely to work in the five most highly affected industries:
-Food & Beverage
-Hospitals
-K-12 education
-Colleges
-Retail.
5 million LGBTQ+ workers work in these industries (40%), compared to just 22% of non-LGBTQ individuals.
🏳️🌈 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people live in poverty
🏳️🌈 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+
🏳️🌈 Only 29% of LGBTQ+ people said their employer offers paid leave specifically for medical reasons in 2018
🏳️🌈 15% of LGBTQ+ people work in restaurants, the industry most impacted, compared to just 6% of non-LGBTQ workers.
As pride month approaches, we must do more to ensure the safety & well-being of LGBTQ+ people. A campaign is not enough. An event is not enough. We have to act.
I vow as a Queer exec to do more for the LGBTQ+ community in 2020, particularly my trans brothers & sisters.