It was until March 2020 when lives from all around the world changed. As COVID-19 hit the world, the world turned upside down, and so did the lives of people from all over the globe.
Among these are the LGBTQ community.
If you don’t already know what this community stands for, it consists of people who have different sexual orientations, and based on that; they demand equality.
For decades, the LGBTQ community has faced oppression and discrimination due to their differing sexuality. However, the situation got better over the years, especially when the United States allowed same-sex marriages.
Nonetheless, COVID-19 brought a dip into their movement only to hamper their growth. Thus, this year may not be an easy one for this specific community due to several reasons.
Homelessness
While we are soundly quarantined into our houses, others may not be as safe.
Studies have shown that a quarter of the LGBTQ community lives under the fear of being homeless due to their sexual orientation.
However, those who are not kicked out of their residence face domestic abuse and harassment, which often does not come from family members with a differing point of view.
In such conditions, living on the streets will increase the chances of catching COVID-19, and lack of financial aid for healthcare and inadequate food supply may lead to worse conditions.
On the other hand, those who decide to stay at home may get bullied for their sexual orientation, which can drastically impact their mental wellbeing. Extreme abuse can further lead to extreme steps such as suicide or self-harm.
Also, students are much burdened following a switch from physical classes to online ones. This situation might be twice as frustrating for the LGBTQ students combined with the mental frustration they might be facing. Though LGBTQ students can benefit from the academic website like Research Prospect, we are unsure how mental wellbeing is looked out for.
Now the question arises, what are the options they are left with?
The only solution that might prevent the repercussions mentioned above is to live in asylums and shelters provided by the LGBTQ activists. But these shelters are often cramped and may increase the likelihood of catching COVID-19.
Health complications
There has been an unprecedented strain on healthcare all over the world ever since COVID-19 spread.
As for the LGBTQ community, transgender people already require particular medication and treatment. Nonetheless, the cancellations of their appointments, sessions, and gender-affirming treatments have proved to be disadvantageous for them. They may not only face psychological discomfort but mental discomfort as well.
Aside from this, LGBTQ people with different abilities have also come under the wrath. Since they need physical support for day-to-day activities, social distancing has put their health safety at significant risk.
The same is the case with older people in the community. However, several organizations have made efforts to mitigate the complications while ensuring the health security of these people.
Furthermore, mental health complications may be another critical factor when it comes to the impact of COVID-19. However, many LGBTQ people face societal pressure, bullying, and harassment. The LGBTQ youth is now at a higher risk of developing suicidal tendencies, depression, and addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
The basis of such complications lies in the higher rate of discrimination, worldwide rejection, and victimization, and the pandemic crisis has elevated the risk due to social isolation.
Moreover, the ban on social gathering led to the cancellation of this year’s pride march, which often represents unity and raises the community’s morale as a whole.
Henceforth, all of such aspects have collectively made the physical and mental wellbeing of LGBTQ people complicated as ever.
LGBTQ inequality and vulnerability
LGBTQ people have faced inequality throughout their existence. Be it a workplace, hospital, or educational system, LGBTQ people face discrimination and a decline of opportunities primarily due to their sexual orientation.
With the emergence of COVID-19, the bar of inequality has risen to dangerous levels leading to escalated tensions between the LGBTQ community.
Discrimination due to COVID-19
Communities from all over the world are disproportionately affected due to COVID-19.
Reports have shown that only one-third of Asian and black patients have a chance to occupy a hospital bed despite being a quarter of the population.
As for the LGBTQ community, discrimination has taken a new shape due to the pandemic crisis. Any opportunity, hope, or chances to reconnect are massively declined, the reason being the COVID-19.
Is equality essential for the LGBTQ community?
Equality is the fundamental right of every community or sector of society.
Equality precisely means not let the differences translate into a different level of access to various opportunities.
Therefore, the LGBTQ community deserves to have equal access to career, medical, and every opportunity that might come their way.
On the other hand, depriving them of their fundamental rights can lead to negative sentiments, resulting in uprisings and revolts.
Henceforth, it is imperative to provide the LGBTQ and any other community with equal rights in the best way possible.
Here I want to mention my friend Ellie.
Ellie Cross is an academic writer who provides proofreading and editing services to students. She helps students in their dissertation and helps them understand the dissertation layout or structure by writing different guides.
Ellie Cross, speak’s in support of LGBT, said: “We should support LGBT Community through providing the same rights like: in education, in medical, in jobs. We should not ignore them because they are unique, and we should accept them as it is they are.”
What can the authorities do for the LGBTQ community?
Although multiple LGBTQ communities are working towards the betterment of their community in tough times like these, governmental authorities and NGOs can also improve the conditions.
First and foremost, authorities should focus on the healthcare aspect and keeping in mind the pandemic situation. LGBTQ people with different abilities shall be provided with striking healthcare workers dressed up to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Secondly, hospitals shall prioritize transgender people and their appointments according to the capacity of the hospitals.
Most importantly, authorities shall strive to aid the homeless people who are dwelling on the streets. If needed, authorities can construct shelter homes to facilitate the LGBTQ community and give protection to other street-dwellers regardless of who they are. However, COVID-19 protocols should be kept in mind.
Therefore, these precautions can help reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ community.
Conclusively, the world has taken aback after COVID-19 came into existence. Nevertheless, a collective effort and uniformity can cancel out the negative impact on various communities, e.g., the LGBTQ community.
About the Author:
Grace Griffin is a member of the writer’s Team on Essays.uk and Research prospect. She has bachelor’s in Law, Masters in Literature, and a PhD in Economics. she wanted to explore all the possible subjects in the world. Still, she is afraid that she couldn’t do so. Grace is a technical writer and writes research-based content. As for her hobbies, she loves reading articles, blogs, magazines, newspapers and books.
