Survey shows 92 percent of LGBTQ+ Americans received COVID-19 vaccine
By: Jay Moreno
Many LGBTQ+ Americans have received a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a recent survey. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) partnered with LGBTQ+ market research firm Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) and The Rockefeller Foundation to conduct data from over 15,000 LGBTQ+ Americans regarding views on COVID-19 matters and other topics.
Survey background for LGBTQ+ people’s views on COVID-19 and vaccines
The survey participants ranged from cisgender men and women identifying as gay or bisexual, and those who identify as transgender or non-binary. 93 percent of cisgender men and 92 percent of cisgender women (gay and bisexual) in the survey received the vaccine. Furthermore, 92 percent of transgender and non-binary people surveyed also received a shot. Age also played a role in the survey between age groups of 18-34, 35-54 and those aged 55 and older. Each age group was higher than 90 percent in vaccinations for COVID-19.
Regarding racial demographics, LGBTQ+ Americans identifying as Asian or Pacific Islander ranked highest in vaccination rates at 96 percent. Others were still high such as White and Caucasian LGBTQ+ people, ranking 94 percent. Minorities such as Hispanic/Latinx as well as African Americans ranked 90 and 85 percent, respectively.
“Increasing vaccination rates among communities of colour is a major focus for us,” said Otis Rolley in a press release. Rolley serves as Senior Vice President of Equity and Economic Opportunity for The Rockefeller Foundation.
Overall, the survey concluded 92 percent of all LGBTQ+ participants received a COVID-19 vaccine. Only seven percent did not, though it is unknown if they haven’t received one at the time, or are choosing to not get one at all.
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CMI Senior Director of Research David Paisley determines that because most LGBTQ+ people are politically liberal, they were less hesitant towards a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s not an opinion that most of those against masks and vaccines are conservative. Therefore, it’s not surprising that many LGBTQ+ people don’t have an issue with getting the shot. Of the 15,000+ people surveyed, 56 percent identified as politically liberal. In addition, 41 percent identified as moderate, moderate to liberal or moderate to conservative. Only two percent of those surveyed considered themselves conservative, while the remaining four percent preferred not to answer. Data also determined those who live in blue states and urban areas are more likely to have less uncertainty towards vaccination.
“We are encouraged to see evidence that suggests such a strong majority of the LGBTQ+ community who responded to the survey have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine,” said HRC Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training Jay Brown. “The science is clear: vaccines are our way forward and out of this pandemic.”
Mental health impacts encouraged LGBTQ+ people to get vaccinated
In the survey, Paisley also suggests that lockdowns negatively impacted LGBTQ+ people. 59 percent felt socially isolated due to COVID-19, whereas 50 percent claimed it affected their mental health. Many in the community often visit gay bars to meet and socialize with other LGBTQ+ people. Bars closed everywhere, and the LGBTQ+ spaces weren’t an exception. During Pride Month in June 2020, many pride festivals and events across the nation did not occur due to high COVID-19 cases. The negative effect of lockdowns and lack of in-person social gatherings were factors as to why many wished to get the vaccine. They wanted to return to a sense of normalcy in a pre-COVID world.
“COVID isolation significantly impacted LGBTQ+ people, which may have motivated quick vaccination to reenter the community,” Paisley said in the release.
Many bars and nightclubs have reopened due to an increasing amount of people continuing to get the vaccine. Some gay bars in areas such as New York City and Washington, D.C. are only allowing vaccinated customers inside. Pride festivals in many major cities made a return in June 2021.
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Other data involving LGBTQ+ Americans and vaccination
From December 2020 to January 2021, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) conducted a survey from over 170 LGBTQ+ people regarding their attitudes on COVID-19 vaccinations. According to the results published in March, 75 percent of LGBTQ+ Americans viewed vaccination as a responsibility to protect others. Meanwhile, 24 percent viewed vaccination as a personal choice. In contrast to non-LGBTQ+ people, 48 percent considered vaccination a responsibility and 49 percent considered it a choice.
When the KFF asked LGBTQ+ people about their concerns surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine, responses varied. An unnamed transgender male from California hoped to get his first vaccine shot in “a timely manner.” His reasoning was due to an increase in COVID-19 cases (which he refers to as “chaos”) in the country. On the contrary, a bisexual female from Florida thought the vaccine was made and approved too quickly. However, she may consider getting it in the future.
Main photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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Tags: bisexual, cmi, Covid-19, covid-19 vaccine, data, gay, hrc, kff, lesbian, lgbt, lgbtq+, non-binary, survey, transgender, vaccine,
