LGBTQ people and are more likely to face unemployment and face poverty, according to a new study.
The report, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, flies in the face of the myths of “gay affluence,” and show that the discrimination faced by LGBTQ people affects socioeconomic opportunities.
The study also found that while gay and bisexual men may be more likely to be college graduates than their heterosexual counterparts, the same men usually had lower incomes than straight men.
Women were less likely to attend graduate college, as well as facing unemployment, poverty, and a lack of social status. A large part of the sample did not complete high school or receive a GED equivalent.
Lesbian or bi women were more likely to report an annual income of less than $25,000 annually versus straight women, and were also more likely to be on public assistance.
The research explored data regarding over 14,000 Americans aged 24-32 from 2008 and 2009. The research was obtained from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health.
Researchers did not specifically ask if those in the initial study were transgender identified, but let those in the study self-identify.
There were limits to the initial study, as it did focus heavily on self-reported information. Nevertheless, study authors feel that there wasn’t any systemic reporting bias that would taint their results.
“Socioeconomic status (SES) is a fundamental contributor to health and disease across the life course, and varies by sexual orientation; however, SES is often treated as a statistical control and is rarely discussed as a potential mediator of health inequities experienced by sexual minorities,” read the report.
The researchers suggest that socioeconomic status should be a consideration when looking at the health of LGBTQ people.