Post submitted by Lucas Acosta (he/him), former Deputy Director of Communications, Politics

The impact of COVID-19 has been felt across the country and around the world, but President Donald Trump’s failure to address the pandemic and lies that downplayed its threat have led to more than 200,000 unnecessary deaths and millions unemployed. LGBTQ Americans are bearing a disproportionate brunt of the economic impact of the virus.

LGBTQ people have faced a higher rate of pay cuts, reduced hours and household budgets, and say they are “much worse off” thanks to Trump’s COVID-19 response

LGBTQ people are more likely to have experienced a cut in work hours, and are more likely to feel their personal finances are in worse shape due to the pandemic. They are also more likely to trust public health officials and are less likely to trust President Trump’s leadership.

• 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
• 42% of LGBTQ people have adjusted their household budgets, compared to 30% of the general population

Studies show LGBTQ people are more susceptible to COVID-19 and have a harder time accessing care than the general population

• LGBTQ people’s higher rate of cancer, HIV, and tobacco consumption make them more vulnerable to COVID-19, an upper respiratory disease that attacks immune deficiencies
• LGBTQ people experience discrimination in health care settings, making it harder for them to seek care when they need it

State reopenings have hit LGBTQ people harder, as a ‘return to normal’ for most often doesn’t apply

While states have largely reopened their economies, many states are pausing and reversing their policies because of the ongoing threat of the coronavirus. LGBTQ people are still more likely than the general population to be experiencing higher unemployment rates, are more likely to report having their work hours reduced and, for those who are returning to work, are more likely to be working for less pay.

• The number of people in the general population who are taking pay cuts increased by 14% from when the economy was closed to when some states initiated reopening policies:
  • The LGBTQ population experienced a 20% increase in taking pay cuts.
  • LGBTQ people of color experienced a 54% increase in taking pay cuts.
• Furthermore, LGBTQ people are 50% more likely and LGBTQ people of color are 150% more likely than the general population to have taken a pay cut since some states initiated reopening policies.
• The LGBTQ population is 20% more likely than the general population to have experienced a reduction in work hours since some states initiated reopening policies.
• Moreover, LGBTQ people of color are 44% more likely and transgender people are 125% more likely than the general population to have had a reduction in work hours since some states initiated reopening policies.
• The LGBTQ population is 30% more likely than the general population to have lost their jobs since some states initiated reopening policies due to COVID-19.

For more on Trump’s attacks on LGBTQ people’s access to health care, click here.