Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation released new data outlining the economic impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ communities of color. The research, released in partnership with PSB Research, builds on prior data showing that LGBTQ people are disproportionately impacted economically by the pandemic, and shows that LGBTQ people of color are more likely to have become unemployed due to the virus, are more likely to have had their work hours reduced, and more likely to have asked for delays in paying their rent or bills.

“This new data, showing that LGBTQ communities of color are facing the severe economic consequences of this pandemic, is unfortunately not surprising,” said HRC President Alphonso David.  “We know that multiply marginalized populations are at an increased risk of contracting the virus and suffering its effects -- vulnerable communities are facing higher death rates than the general population across the country.  We must acknowledge that these communities, particularly LGBTQ people of color, face systemic biases that are placing them at greater risk.  Understanding this data is the first step towards addressing these injustices as we build towards recovery.”

The data shows that:

• 38% of LGBTQ people of color have had their work hours reduced, compared to 29% of white LGBTQ people, and 24% of the general population
• 19% of LGBTQ people of color have asked for delays in payments on bills, compared to 14% of white LGBTQ people and 12% of the general population
• 14% of LGBTQ people of color have asked for delays in rent payment, compared to 8% of white LGBTQ people and 7% of the general population
• 23% of LGBTQ people of color have checked if their account has overdrafted, compared to 13% of white LGBTQ people and 10% of the general population

The data also shows, unsurprisingly, that across all demographics, many feel that they are worse off financially than they were a year ago, and have taken measures to spend less and change their budgets:

• 38% of LGBTQ people of color say they are somewhat or much worse off financially than a year ago, compared to 45% of white LGBTQ people and 36% of the general population
• 53% of LGBTQ people of color have spent less money, compared to 50% of white LGBTQ people and 49% of the general population
• 33% of LGBTQ people of color have changed their household budget, compared to 29% of white LGBTQ people and 27% of the general population

HRC is releasing this data as more than 100 lawmakers call for the Trump administration to collect data on LGBTQ COVID-19 patients, and as 2.4 million workers in the United States filed jobless claims last week, bringing the nine-week total number to more than 38 million. Read the full report at this link.  

Read the full report at this link.

The new data builds on HRC’s previously released reports, “The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ Community,” and “The Lives and Livelihoods of Many in the LGBTQ Community are at Risk Amidst COVID-19 Crisis,” published earlier this spring.  HRC has previously called attention to the disproportionate impact the virus has had on marginalized communities and has called for more inclusive data collection for years.

Read more about HRC’s efforts during COVID-19 here.