“Transgender and non-binary people, particularly those of color, already experience higher unemployment and underemployment rates than their cisgender peers. With national unemployment soaring amidst the COVID-19 health crisis, the transgender and non-binary community stands to be further marginalized and cut off from economic security and opportunity,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “As HRC continues to call on elected officials to protect LGBTQ people from these disparities through legislation, we will continue to do all that we can to ensure our community has access to the resources to help weather this storm.”

"We are incredibly proud to be working with our partners at the Human Rights Campaign to meet this moment head on. While the challenges before us are considerable, together we are committed to providing transgender and non-binary communities with guidance and support to help navigate the changing economic landscape,” said Allison VanKuiken, Executive Managing Director for Trans Can Work.

New data released by HRC and PSB Research outlines the economic impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ community, showing that LGBTQ people are more likely to have experienced a cut in work hours, are more likely to feel their personal finances are in worse shape due to the pandemic and are more likely to be taking steps to actively prepare for the virus. In addition, data from the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey shows that transgender and non-binary Americans have long faced discrimination and economic hardship.

• 30% of LGBTQ respondents have had their work hours reduced, compared to 22% of the general population
• 20% of LGBTQ people say their personal finances are “much worse off” than they were a year ago, compared to only 11% of the general population
• LGBTQ people are twice as likely as the general population to think their finances will be much worse off a year from now, 10% to 5%
• 42% of LGBTQ people have adjusted their household budgets, compared to 30% of the general population.
• 27% of transgender or non-binary Americans who held or applied for a job reported being fired, denied a promotion or not hired for a job they applied for because they were trans or non-binary.
• 16% of transgender or non-binary people said they lost a job because they were trans or non-binary.

In response to the economic hardships facing the LGBTQ community, HRC is sharing resources to help people get through the pandemic. The new data builds on HRC’s previously released report, “The Lives and Livelihoods of Many in the LGBTQ Community are at Risk Amidst COVID-19 Crisis,” published in March. That report showed that LGBTQ people face both greater health and economic risks from the virus. They are less likely to have health coverage, are more likely to smoke and have asthma and have a variety of chronic illnesses. They are also more likely to work jobs in highly affected industries, often with more exposure and/or higher economic sensitivity to the COVID-19 crisis.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

Trans Can Work is a Los Angeles based nonprofit committed to improving the lives of gender diverse people of all experiences through economic empowerment. We remove barriers to employment through inclusive culture building, talent development, and by connecting gender diverse people to opportunity where they can reach their full potential.

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