Disclaimer: By highlighting the impact of coronavirus on LGBT people, I do not intend to take away from other people’s struggles. We are all facing our own obstacles at the moment and my intent is not to dismiss or undermine that. My goal is to highlight the unique impact on the LGBTQ+ community that others may not be aware of.
This is the hidden impact of the coronavirus on LGBT people, their community and queer businesses.
The recent lockdowns and social distancing is disadvantaging minority groups in unique ways. For instance, the LGBTQ+ community faces a hidden set of challenges as a result of COVID-19.
It’s important to remember that all LGBTQ+ experiences are unique. The experiences of white gay men New York and black trans teenagers in Eastern Europe are vastly different. As is every variation of intersectionality in between. The queer community is diverse, however, we also face some common challenges.
Here are 10 hidden ways that the LGBT community is impacted by the coronavirus.
Loss Of Safe Spaces
The closing of gay bars and clubs isn’t just a lost night out. It’s a loss of safe space. For many queer folks, the only place they can be surrounded by like-minded people is the local gay bar is .
Gay bars and clubs are a vital safe space for most in the LGBT community. A refuge from the outside world and from dirty looks or homophobic comments. They are not just as a space to find a date or hook-up. They are pivotal to queer history and the origins of the equal rights movement.
Gay bars are the only physical space where some LGBT people feel safe to express their true self.
Alcohol isn’t central to every queer space. However even LGBT libraries, cafes and meet-ups are on hold until further notice.
This safe space and feeling of belonging is lost for as long as social distancing remains in place.
Isolating In Homophobic Homes
With lockdowns implemented globally, many LGBT people are being forced to stay in homes. This can mean living with homophobic parents or returning to the closet to survive.
In the UK, 1 in 10 adults would feel uncomfortable living at home with their child if they came out as gay. And 33% are unwilling to change the pronouns used for their child if they came out as trans.
The Albert Kennedy Trust, who support homeless LGBT youth in the UK have seen calls to their helpline double. Countless LGBT+ people are seeking support as they are stuck self-isolating with abusive family.
And the situation is not UK specific. Around the world, young people and those without their own properties have no option but to stay in homophobic environments.
Disproportionate Rates of Homelessness
Many young LGBT people don’t have homes to isolate in at all. In the UK, 25% of all homeless people under the age of 25 are LGBT. And 69% of them have experienced familial rejection, abuse and violence.
In America the stats are even higher, with an estimated 40% of homeless people identifying as LGBT.
Some homeless shelters are closing due to government restrictions (America) and others limiting intake to respect social distancing (UK). So it is no doubt that the homeless population, therefore LGBT people, are at risk as a result.
Increased Mental Health Risks
It’s widely understood that the era we are living in poses a true threat to all of our mental wellbeing. Being isolated indoors, reduced physical contact, job uncertainty and stress over the safety of families to name a few.
I wrote a full blog on LGBT mental health, but to summarise:
Poor mental health disproportionately affects LGBT people. And this is compounded for those with multiple minority characteristics (disabled LGBT people, BAME LGBT people, old LGBT people etc).
- Half of LGBT people experienced depression in the last year.
- Three in five LGBT people said they’ve experienced anxiety in the last year.
LGBT people also face barriers to accessing the mental health services they require. (One in seven LGBT people avoid seeking healthcare for fear of discrimination from staff.)
Increased Physical Health Risks
LGBT people also face a unique set of physical health risks. This statistically make them at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
The National LGBT Cancer Network has published a public letter indicating the increased physical risk to LGBT people during the coronavirus outbreak.
The physical impact of coronavirus on LGBT people is down to 3 main reasons:
- Tobacco usage is 50% higher than the general population.
- Higher rates of HIV and cancer among LGBTQ+ individuals mean that a greater number have compromised immunity.
- LGBTQ+ elders are less likely than their heterosexual and cisgender peers seek healthcare support, from fear of discrimination and harassment.
Unique Implications For Trans People
I mentioned at the start that LGBT all face unique challenges within the community. And this is exemplified in the experience of trans people.
Statistically, trans people experience the data points noted in this blog more negatively than cis-LGB people. (Homelessness, mental & physical health, transphobic living environments etc.)
Trans people also face additional barriers in accessing healthcare primarily due to fear of discrimination and homophobia.
With restrictions on accessing GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals, it has become more difficult for trans people to fulfil their prescriptions. And reports of trans people unable to access their HRT (hormone replacement therapy) treatments have surfaced.
For many trans people who do have access to healthcare, gender affirming and life altering surgeries have been delayed globally. Vice spoke to trans people from Thailand, UK, USA and Spain where surgeries have been postponed or cancelled.
Regression Of LGBT Rights
Naturally, governments are turning their full attention to tackling the coronavirus. And LGBT rights are on hold or even regressing in some countries as a result.
Two clear examples of the impact of coronavirus on LGBT rights are occurring in Scotland and Hungary.
In Scotland, the Gender Recognition Act reform, has been put on hold in Parliament.
- The GRA would mean the advancing of trans rights, including the ability to self-identify. The bill was to be debated soon.
- However, it is now paused for the remainder of the parliamentary term (May 2021).
In Hungary, Parliament have empowered the prime minister to rule by decree for the duration of the crisis.
- He has used this power to propose a new law. The law would prevent trans people from legally changing their sex in official documents.
- The bill states that gender must be defined as “biological sex based on primary sex characteristics and chromosomes”.
While Governments are battling this virus, the much-needed fight for LGBT equality (and particularly trans rights) are on pause. Or moving backwards.
Pride Cancellations
Perhaps the most obvious impact of coronavirus on LGBT people is the cancellation of most Pride events this summer.
This could be an entire blog in itself (and watch this space because it probably will be). But the cancellation of Pride marches globally is a massive blow to the LGBT community. Like the closure of gay bars, the cancellation of over 120 public pride marches is more than a cancelled party.
It is a lost opportunity to be visible. A lost day to be surrounded by an army of allies. And it is a lost occasion to celebrate diversity and show pride in our queer identities.
Pride marches are the pinnacle of the LGBT calendar. And while their cancellation is the right thing to do for public safety, it’s devastating to the community.
Reduced Income For LGBT Organisations
Pride cancellations are not only a loss to the community. There is a major impact of coronavirus on LGBT businesses and charities too.
For many, Pride month is their largest source of work and income in the whole year.
- Brand partnerships
- Big brands donating a % of their Pride merchandise to charities
- Work for LGBT influencers and small businesses
- And beyond…
The cancellation of pride means cancelled contracts and lower sales volumes than ever before.
And it’s not just pride month causing the suffering. Many LGBT charities that rely on corporate funding or sponsorships will miss out this year. As even large corporations struggle to keep themselves afloat.
Furlough / Unemployment – Loss of LGBT networks
In many countries right now, people are facing unemployment or temporary furlough from their jobs.
For many LGBT people, particularly those in less LGBT-friendly countries, the office is a space where they can be themselves. It is often a source of their support network in the form of employee LGBT and Allies networks or ERGs.
Facing unemployment or time away from work means losing those connections in a time they are needed most.
LGBT people are not the only minority groups being impacted differently:
These are some other ways minority groups are impacted by the coronavirus outbreak:
I have compiled this article based on personal knowledge, conversations with LGBT people and online research. Articles that helped me are linked.
