LGBTQ+ Resources

LGBTQ+ folks, especially trans women of color, are at higher risk for health & mental health care disparities, and a pandemic only makes that more obvious. Know your rights and take care of one another.

Know Your Rights

LGBTQ+ SPECIFIC COVID-19 INFO

Why are LGBTQ+ people more at risk for COVID?
via the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE):

LGBTQ+ folx must be aware of the particular risk for the coronavirus because of the following factors:

  • LGBTQ people have higher rates of HIV and cancer, and therefore may have a compromised immune system. According to NCTE’s 2015 US Trans Survey, trans people are five times more likely to be living with HIV compared to the general population.

  • LGBTQ people also use tobacco at a rate of 50% higher than the general population. The coronavirus is a respiratory illness that could be especially harmful to smokers.

Trans adults are also more likely to score their health as poor or fair compared to the general population. More than 1 out 5 transgender adults have at least one or more chronic condition, such as diabetes, arthritis, or asthma. Fear of discrimination keeps many from going to the doctor. This may impact the novel coronavirus effect in three ways:

  • Stigma and discrimination makes transgender people reluctant to get help.

  • Access to health care barriers, such as lack of insurance, leaves us less likely to get medical care.

  • Existing health conditions mean more of us live in a state of compromised health.

Crisis Hotlines

  • For trans people of all ages, Trans Lifeline provides a peer support hotline and microgrants for trans people in need. Just call: (877) 565-8860

  • For LGBTQ youth, the Trevor Project provides access to counselors by phone call (1-866-488-7386), online chat, or text (text START to 678678). They also provide an online community for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255 or use their online chat feature.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or use their online chat feature.

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673 or use their online chat feature.

LINKS TO Other Resources