Coronavirus has affected the lives and emotions of everyone around the world, but how has it specifically affected the lives of the LGBTQ+ community? Unfortunately COVID-19 is affecting the lives of the LGBTQ+ community at an unequal rate compared to the general population. The LGBTQ+ community alone is more likely to live in poverty, lack access to basic healthcare and other basic essentials needed to live, and with the rise of COVID-19 they will more commonly lack the resources they need to survive during the pandemic. For instance, nearly one in ten LGBTQ+ people are unemployed. Moreover, during this pandemic, over 5 million LGBTQ+ people who work where coronavirus is more prevalent could be at a higher risk for developing the virus or becoming unemployed. For those in the LGBTQ+ community who may need to care for a sick relative, become sick themselves, or care for a new child, paid leave from work is not common. The US is the only industrialized country to offer no paid leave to working adults. One in five say that the fear of discrimination has prevented them from requesting a leave from work if it requires them to disclose their identity. Secondly, health care gaps exist in the LGBTQ+ community, 17% of LGBTQ+ adults have no health insurance compared to 12% of non-LGBTQ adults. Lastly, LGBTQ+ youth are at an exceptionally high rate of living in an abusive household, unstable housing, foster care, and homelessness due to rejection from their guardians. For example, LGBTQ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth. Also, an estimated 30% of children living in foster care identify as LGBTQ+. This means they are more likely to be abused sexually, verbally, mentally, and physically. LGBTQ+ youth in these communities also heavily depend on food and resources provided by welfare agencies and public schools. And with the closure of public schools across the U.S., LGBTQ+ youth are at a higher risk of lacking the resources they need to survive and live a normal life. Click here to donate to help fight LGBTQ+ youth homelessness: https://my.truecolorsunited.org/give/118989/#!/donation/checkout
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