It is no secret that the LGBTQ community has faced discrimination in many aspects of life, including employment. In 2020, the Supreme Court's decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that employment discrimination against LGBT people is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, was a major victory for the community. However, it is still important to understand how access to employment has impacted the LGBTQ community in Los Angeles County.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center conducted a comprehensive study on LGBTQ Americans to explore their lives, attitudes, and experiences. The study revealed that more than a third of LGBTQ Americans reported some form of discrimination in their personal and work lives, including more than 6 out of 10 transgender Americans. More than half (51%) of LGBTQ respondents overall said they experienced harassment or discrimination in a public place, such as a store, public transportation, or a bathroom; 36% in the workplace; 21% at school; 20% in an apartment complex; 15% through interactions with law enforcement; and 14% elsewhere. The study also assessed whether LGBTQ people had any difficulty trying to access health care or preventive screenings over the past year.
As seen in Figure 12, between 7% and 14% of LGBTQ people have had other negative experiences, such as a doctor or provider feeling visibly uncomfortable because of their real or perceived sexual orientation (14%), harsh or abusive language (8%), doctors or providers intentionally refusing to recognize family members (8%), or unwanted physical contact (7%). In general, younger generations of the LGBTQ community are more likely to report specific negative experiences with doctors or health care providers than older generations. For example, LGBTQ Generation Z adults are three times more likely than baby boomers to have delayed needed health care over the past year due to costs (37% vs. 14%, respectively).
The anxiety caused by the coronavirus adds another factor of concern in this community, especially among respondents who are more exposed because of their health or because of their front-line work situation. The Los Angeles LGBT Center's Transgender People's Economic Empowerment Project (TEEP) provides a wide range of services to help people with gender diversity achieve economic stability. They offer job preparation and professional development services and can also connect people with inclusive employers. This comprehensive study on LGBTQ Americans raises important questions that policymakers and other leaders of American life should consider. Given that more than a third of LGBTQ Americans report some form of discrimination in their personal and work lives, it is clear that much remains to be done to ensure equal treatment in law and in practice for this community.
Promoting Racial Equity and Justice for LGBTQ Communities
The Center for American Progress plans to track these attitudes and experiences over time to help policymakers and leaders in their efforts to ensure the full participation and equality of all LGBTQ people, both legally and in their daily lives.Promoting racial equity and justice is essential for creating an inclusive society where all members can thrive regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes taking steps to reduce disparities in access to health care, education, housing, employment opportunities, and other resources for LGBTQ communities of color. It also means addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ people when it comes to the health of LGBTQ people, the rights of LGBTQ people, and more. The Los Angeles LGBT Center's study provides valuable insight into how access to employment has impacted the LGBTQ community in Los Angeles County. It is clear that much remains to be done to ensure equal treatment for this community both legally and in practice.
By promoting racial equity and justice for all members of society, we can create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
