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Martino RJ, Krause KD, Griffin M, LoSchiavo C, Comer-Carruthers C, Halkitis PN. Employment Loss as a Result of COVID-19: a Nationwide Survey at the Onset of COVID-19 in US LGBTQ+ Populations. SEXUALITY RESEARCH & SOCIAL POLICY : JOURNAL OF NSRC : SR & SP 2022; 19:1855-1866. [PMID: 34804251 PMCID: PMC8590522 DOI: 10.1007/s13178-021-00665-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The unemployment rate in the US reached record highs during the COVID-19 pandemic, but little is known about the job loss experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals, who are already economically disadvantaged due to structural and social inequities. METHODS Cross-sectional data on unemployment due to COVID-19 were collected between May and July 2020 among 1090 individuals across the US through an online survey. RESULTS Respondents who had been employed prior to COVID-19 formed the analytic sample (n = 990). Of these, 298 (27.3%) reported job loss or being furloughed due to COVID-19. When controlling for all other factors, we found statistically significant higher rates of unemployment among younger participants, HIV-positive individuals, men, Black and White non-Hispanic participants, those with less educational attainment, and those in multi-person homes. CONCLUSIONS The employment of LGBTQ+ people has been undermined by COVID-19, but as with all populations, those with multiple minority identities, such as Black or HIV+ and LGBTQ+, have been most severely affected. POLICY IMPLICATIONS LGBTQ+ populations in the US have experienced high levels of unemployment due to COVID-19. This study highlights the need for national data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity for unemployment as well as the need for substantive policies, such as expanding unemployment to assist in the economic recovery for populations most affected by COVID-19 and the Equality Act to offer further workplace protections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. Martino
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Kristen D. Krause
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ USA
- Department of Urban-Global Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Marybec Griffin
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Caleb LoSchiavo
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Camilla Comer-Carruthers
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Perry N. Halkitis
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ USA
- Department of Urban-Global Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ USA
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Martino RJ, Krause KD, Griffin M, LoSchiavo C, Comer-Carruthers C, Karr AG, Bullock AF, Halkitis PN. A Nationwide Survey of COVID-19 Testing in LGBTQ+ Populations in the United States. Public Health Rep 2021; 136:493-507. [PMID: 34034566 PMCID: PMC8203041 DOI: 10.1177/00333549211018190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) people and populations face myriad health disparities that are likely to be evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of our study were to describe patterns of COVID-19 testing among LGBTQ+ people and to differentiate rates of COVID-19 testing and test results by sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS Participants residing in the United States and US territories (N = 1090) aged ≥18 completed an internet-based survey from May through July 2020 that assessed COVID-19 testing and test results and sociodemographic characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). We analyzed data on receipt and results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 and symptoms of COVID-19 in relation to sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Of the 1090 participants, 182 (16.7%) received a PCR test; of these, 16 (8.8%) had a positive test result. Of the 124 (11.4%) who received an antibody test, 45 (36.3%) had antibodies. Rates of PCR testing were higher among participants who were non-US-born (25.4%) versus US-born (16.3%) and employed full-time or part-time (18.5%) versus unemployed (10.8%). Antibody testing rates were higher among gay cisgender men (17.2%) versus other SOGI groups, non-US-born (25.4%) versus US-born participants, employed (12.6%) versus unemployed participants, and participants residing in the Northeast (20.0%) versus other regions. Among SOGI groups with sufficient cell sizes (n > 10), positive PCR results were highest among cisgender gay men (16.1%). CONCLUSIONS The differential patterns of testing and positivity, particularly among gay men in our sample, confirm the need to create COVID-19 public health messaging and programming that attend to the LGBTQ+ population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. Martino
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Kristen D. Krause
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Marybec Griffin
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Caleb LoSchiavo
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Camilla Comer-Carruthers
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Anita G. Karr
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Allie F. Bullock
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Perry N. Halkitis
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Department of Urban–Global Health, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
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