Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation released new data analysis showing that LGBTQ adults overall say they are “very likely” to get the COVID-19 vaccine (42%) in higher rates compared to the general adult population (39%). But major differences exist across LGBTQ populations, with only 29% of Black LGBTQ adults, 32% of bisexual women and 39% of Latinx LGBTQ adults expressing similar feelings. The data analysis is being released as part of the HRC Foundation’s new vaccine public education campaign, “For Ourselves, For Each Other: Getting to the Other Side of the Pandemic.” This campaign is centered around educating the LGBTQ community, especially LGBTQ communities of color, regarding COVID-19, addressing medical mistrust and answering questions the community has about vaccinations. The campaign will launch with a community town hall featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci and other trusted medical experts and doctors. It will also consist of videos, community conversations and FAQs to address community concerns about vaccine safety, how to access the vaccine and other topics.

In partnership with PSB Insights (PSB), the HRC Foundation is releasing new data that explore the LGBTQ community’s sentiments and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines, as well as data about the pandemic’s continued negative economic impact on LGBTQ people. The research also shows that 53% of transgender adults say they are very likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine, including 46% of transgender adults of color, compared to 39% of the general adult population. However, LGBQ adults of color, which includes Asian, Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander communities, and bisexual communities, are less likely to say they will get the vaccine. Black LGBTQ adults were especially less likely to say they will get vaccinated. Due to the survey design, data for Asian, Native American and Pacific Islander communities are aggregated and not individually reported:

• 29% of Black LGBTQ adults are very likely to get vaccinated, compared to:
  • 47% of white LGBTQ adults
  • 43% of white adults
  • 42% of LGBTQ adults
  • 39% of the general adult sample population
  • 39% of Latinx LGBTQ adults
  • 36% of Latinx adults
  • 33% of adults of color
  • 27% of Black adults

• 38% of bisexual adults and 32% of bisexual women are very likely to say they will get vaccinated, compared 49% of lesbian and gay adults.

• 42% of LGBTQ adults of color, 37% of bisexual adults and 36% of transgender adults say they have concerns about the vaccine not being effective, compared to:
  • 37% of adults of color
  • 35% of LGBTQ adults
  • 34% of the general adult population
  • 32% of white adults
  • 30% of white LGBTQ adults

• 59% of LGBTQ adults of color, 60% of bisexual adults and 51% of transgender adults say they have concerns about potential unknown side effects of the vaccine, compared to:
  • 60% of adults of color
  • 57% of the general adult population
  • 56% of white adults
  • 54% of LGBTQ adults
  • 50% of white LGBTQ adults

• 27% of LGBTQ adults of color, 28% of bisexual adults and 40% of transgender adults have concerns about the testing and approval process of the vaccine, compared to:
  • 28% of adults of color
  • 24% of the general adult population
  • 24% of LGBTQ adults
  • 22% of white LGBTQ adults
  • 22% of white adults

In addition to these data, the HRC Foundation is also releasing two Frequently Asked Questions resources (FAQs) with information addressing vaccine safety concerns and how to access the vaccines. HRC will also be hosting a community town hall on March 18 to answer questions about the vaccines. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Gabriel Maldonado, Founder and CEO of TruEvolution; Dr. Jennifer Kates, Senior Vice President and Director of Global Health & HIV Policy at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation; HRC President Alphonso David; and J. Maurice McCants-Pearsall, Director, HIV & Health Equity, with additional speakers to be announced at a later date. For additional information and to RSVP, please visit this link.

The new data and FAQ resources build on HRC’s previously released reports, including “The Lives and Livelihoods of Many in the LGBTQ Community are at Risk Amidst COVID-19 Crisis” and “The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ Community.” In June of last year, HRC released “The Impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ Communities of Color,” which documented the heightened risk of LGBTQ people of color in facing negative economic consequences from the pandemic, and “The Economic Impact of COVID-19 Intensifies for Transgender and LGBTQ Communities of Color,” which showed that transgender people, especially transgender people of color, are more likely to face negative economic consequences as a result of the virus. In August of 2020, HRC released “The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Black LGBTQ People,” which showed Black LGBTQ people disproportionately suffer the adverse economic impact of COVID-19. In September, we released “COVID-19 Continues to Adversely Impact LGBTQ People While Initial Phases of Reopening Create New Economic Problems,” showing the negative impact of reopening on LGBTQ people, and “The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Latinx LGBTQ People,” showing the unique economic impact of COVID-19 specifically on Latinx LGBTQ communities.

HRC 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 HRC’s efforts during COVID-19 here.