The COVID-19 Impact on Employment for LGBT Individuals With Disabilities: An Examination of the 2021 Household Pulse Survey

Abstract

The 2021 Household Pulse Survey (HPS) was examined as it relates to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the impact on employment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and members with disabilities. The purpose of the study was to understand the effect of COVID-19 on both groups as it relates to employment, specifically focusing on work loss. In analyzing the HPS, the population of the LGBT community was estimated as 7.6%, while members with disabilities accounted for 13.2% of the total U.S. population; 5.5% more LGBT than non-LGBT, 9.8% more members with disabilities than without disabilities, and 18.3% more LGBT with disabilities than non-LGBT and not disabled members reported work loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. I found that the LGBT community and members with disabilities were more likely to have work loss and face employment challenges during the pandemic. I attributed these findings to LGBT and members with disabilities having been more likely to work in a service sector position. In addition to work loss, data on the LGBT and disabled population and the prevalence of disability in the LGBT community were presented.