In March, the HRC released a research brief highlighting how the lives and livelihoods of the LGBTQ community are at particular risk due to COVID-19. That brief found that LGBTQ people are at both heightened health and economic risk of the virus, as they are (1) more likely to work jobs in highly affected industries, often with more exposure and/or higher economic sensitivity to the COVID-19 crisis; (2) are less likely to have health coverage; and (3) are more likely to smoke and have chronic illnesses like asthma that can significantly increase complications during infection.

New data, released in partnership with PSB Research, demonstrates the real economic impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ community. LGBTQ people are more likely to have experienced a cut in work hours, are more likely to feel that their personal finances are in worse shape and are more likely to be taking steps to actively prepare for the virus.