LGBTQ+ People of Color Face Severe Economic Hardships in the Pandemic

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has released new data focusing on the economic impacts of the pandemic, specifically as it pertains to LGBTQ+ communities of color.

The report, released in partnership with PSB Research, is an extension of previously released data showing that the LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately impacted by the current health crisis.

A deeper dive revealed that queer people of color are more likely to have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, are more likely to have their hours reduced at work, and are more likely to have asked for delays in paying their rent or other bills. See a detailed breakdown below:

* 38 percent of LGBTQ+ people of color have had their work hours reduced, compared to 29 percent of white LGBTQ+ people and 24 percent of the general population.

* 22 percent of LGBTQ+ people of color became unemployed, compared to 14 percent of white LGBTQ+ people and 13 percent of the general population.

* 19 percent of LGBTQ+ people of color have asked for delays in payments on bills, compared to 14 percent of white LGBTQ+ people and 12 percent of the general population.

* 14 percent of LGBTQ+ people of color have asked for delays in rent payment, compared to 8 percent of white LGBTQ+ people and 7 percent of the general population.

* 23 percent of LGBTQ+ people of color have checked if their account has overdrafted, compared to 13 percent of white LGBTQ+ people and 10 percent of the general population.

Furthermore, researchers found that across all demographics, many people feel they're worse off financially than they were a year ago and are making moves to change their spending habits:

* 38 percent of LGBTQ+ people of color say they are somewhat or much worse off financially than a year ago, compared to 45 percent of white LGBTQ+ people and 36 percent of the general population.

* 53 percent of LGBTQ+ people of color have spent less money, compared to 50 percent of white LGBTQ+ people and 49 percent of the general population.

* 33 percent of LGBTQ+ people of color have changed their household budget, compared to 29 percent of white LGBTQ+ people and 27 percent of the general population.

"This new data, showing that LGBTQ communities of color are facing the severe economic consequences of this pandemic, is unfortunately not surprising," HRC President Alphonso David said in a press release.

"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."