Last week, Innovative Research Group published the results of a recent study they conducted into how COVID-19 has affected marginalized populations in Canada.
In partnership with Egale and the African-Canadian Civic Engagement Council, the survey collected the response of 2,322 people living in Canada.
Here are some of the findings from the study.
2SLGBTQ+ respondents were also more likely (29%) to indicate that they were Black, Indigenous, or a person of colour (BIPOC) than the general population (20%).
Employment
Respondents who belonged to the 2SLGBTQ+ community (referred to as LGBTQI2S in the report) were more likely to be unemployed than the general population, as well as more likely to be a student, more likely to be working part-time (if working), and more likely to have been laid off because of COVID-19.
When they are working, 2SLGBTQ+ respondents were more likely than the general population to be doing so in the following sectors:
- Health care
- Retail
- Education
- Government and public administration
- Hospitality and tourism
- Arts and entertainment
- Not-for-profit
- Consumer packaged goods
2SLGBTQ+ respondents were more likely (55% and 58%) than the general public (49%) to work in an environment where they must interact with other face-to-face often or even all the time.
Both 2SLGBTQ+ groups were more likely to have been laid off or had their work hours reduced than those of the general population
| General | 2SLGBTQ+ | BIPOC 2SLGBTQ+ | |
| Laid off | 13% | 19% | 21% |
| Reduced hours | 12% | 13% | 9% |
| Combined | 25% | 32% | 30% |
They’re also more likely to commute to work using forms of transportation that require public interaction.
| General | 2SLGBTQ+ | BIPOC 2SLGBTQ+ | |
| Own vehicle | 75% | 60% | 50% |
| Public transit | 12% | 18% | 23% |
| Walking/cycling | 8% | 11% | 4% |
| Carpooling | 5% | 9% | 24% |
Plus, they typically feel less safe (18% and 23%) than the general population (12%) during that commute.
Health
Respondents from the 2SLGBTQ+ community were more likely to have general health challenges than the general population, and this was even more pronounced if they were also part of the BIPOC community.
| General | 2SLGBTQ+ | BIPOC 2SLGBTQ+ | |
| Physical disability | 14% | 20% | 36% |
| Mental disability | 10% | 25% | 35% |
| Respiratory issues | 21% | 28% | 40% |
Both BIPOC 2SLGBTQ+ and non-BIPOC 2SLGBTQ+ respondents responded with poorer physical health and mental health, as well as higher stress levels than the general population did:
| General | 2SLGBTQ+ | BIPOC 2SLGBTQ+ | |
| Fair/poor physical health | 17% | 33% | 39% |
| Fair/poor mental health | 21% | 41% | 38% |
| High stress levels | 24% | 37% | 41% |
According to the poll results, both 2SLGBTQ+ groups seemed slightly less confident (17% and 18%) in being able to access necessary health care than the general population (11%).
They’re also less likely (14% and 17%) than the general population (9%) to be satisfied with their lives at the moment.
COVID-19
BIPOC 2SLGBTQ+ respondents were more likely (21%) than the other two groups (both 9%) to have been admitted to the hospital for a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.
Finally, 2SLGBTQ+ respondents were more likely than the general population to report COVID-19 significantly impacting their physical health, mental health, finances, and quality of life, more so if they were Black, Indigenous, or persons of colour.
| General | 2SLGBTQ+ | BIPOC 2SLGBTQ+ | |
| Physical health | 17% | 25% | 33% |
| Mental health | 25% | 47% | 47% |
| Household finances | 25% | 27% | 32% |
| Quality of life | 29% | 37% | 42% |
