ABOVE: Photo courtesy County of Los Angeles via Los Angeles Blade.
A summary of data collected as part of the annual LGBTQ+ Community Survey by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in partnership and supported by The Rockefeller Foundation in New York City, found that the vast majority – 92% – of LGBTQ+ adults surveyed in the United States had received at least one vaccination for COVID-19.
Although vaccination rates vary somewhat within the LGBTQ+ community, the rates across race and ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation, and age are well above the rates for various general adult populations where the data are available:
- By race and ethnicity, 90% of Latinx respondents, 85% of Black respondents, 96% of Asian or Pacific Islander respondents, and 85% of Native American/Alaskan and Middle Eastern/North African LGBTQ+ adults, among other race identities have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
- By gender identity and sexual orientation, 92% of cisgender lesbian and bi+ women, 93% of cisgender gay and bi+ men, and 92% of transgender and non-binary people have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
- By age, 91% of LGBTQ+ respondents aged 18-34, 92% of LGBTQ+ respondents aged 35-5, and 94% of LGBTQ+ respondents aged 55 and older have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine
While vaccination rates are high, COVID-19 took a toll on well-being among respondents. The survey finds that 59% of LGBTQ+ respondents reported that COVID-19 made them feel socially isolated, and 50% of respondents reported that it impacted their mental health.
“Increasing vaccination rates among communities of color is a major focus for us, and working with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation gives us the opportunity to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ communities of color. We look forward to continuing our support and outreach.” said Otis Rolley, Senior Vice President of Equity and Economic Opportunity at The Rockefeller Foundation.
The data finds the COVID-19 pandemic led to social and financial loss, especially among LGBTQ+ people of color:
- 21% of LGBTQ+ adults surveyed reported that a close family member or friend has died from COVID-19
- LGBTQ+ people of color surveyed reported higher levels of loss due to COVID-19 compared to white LGBTQ+ people:
- 30% of Latinx LGBTQ+ respondents
- 28% of Black LGBTQ+ respondents
- 25% of Native American/Alaskan and Middle Eastern/North African LGBTQ+ respondents, among other race identities
- 18% of Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ respondents
- 17% of white LGBTQ+ respondents
- 36% of LGBTQ+ respondents reported that a close friend or family member has become very sick from COVID-19
- 24% of LGBTQ+ respondents reported that Covid-19 has negatively impacted their financial well-being
- LGBTQ+ people of color surveyed are more likely than white LGBTQ+ people to have experienced a negative financial impact during the pandemic:
- 33% of Native American/Alaskan and Middle Eastern/North African LGBTQ+ adults, among other race identities
- 26% of Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ adults
- 26% of Latinx LGBTQ+ adults
- 25% of Black LGBTQ+ adults
- 22% of white LGBTQ+ adults
“There are many reasons why LGBTQ+ vaccination rates may be higher than the general population, including higher percentages of the LGBTQ+ community being liberal, living in blue states, and living in urban areas,” said CMI Senior Director of Research, David Paisley. “While participants had strong education levels, those with no more than a high school diploma still had an 87% vaccination rate. We also see that COVID isolation significantly impacted LGBTQ+ people, which may have motivated quick vaccination to reenter the community.”
The new data build on the HRC Foundation’s previously released reports, including the most recent report, “COVID-19 and the LGBTQ Community: Vaccinations and the Economic Toll of the Pandemic,” which was released as a part of the HRC Foundation’s vaccine public education campaign: “For Ourselves, For Each Other: Getting to the Other Side of the Pandemic.” The HRC Foundation has also partnered with the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition on a resource, “Finding Financial Stability During Turbulent Times,” with steps and advice for those who may be struggling to make ends meet during these difficult times. Read more about the HRC Foundation’s efforts during Covid-19 here.
The Rockefeller Foundation is supporting the Human Rights Campaign Foundation on a number of COVID-19-related projects to support research and community education to reach LGBTQ communities of color during this crisis through The Rockefeller Foundation’s Equity-First Vaccination Initiative. Learn more here.
