What is the LGBTQ+ Community?
LGBTQ+ is an initialism for the words lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. This community of people has a history of being marginalized and discriminated against. The LGBTQ+ community has been known to be resilient. Though the LGBTQ community is resilient, some of its members are vulnerable to homelessness. According to Youth.gov, about 20 to 40 per cent of homeless youth identify themselves as LGBTQ.
So how does climate change issues relate to LGBTQ issues?
Homelessness exacerbates the effects of natural disasters. These natural disasters are often caused by climate change. As mentioned above, a large percentage of homeless youth in the United States identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. As a result of their unstable economic situation, LGBTQ individuals are more likely to seek out “unconventional” jobs such as sex work. The stigma surrounding sex work make these individuals less likely to obtain proper housing as some landlords are hesitant to let a sex worker rent out their place. This is what keeps LGBTQ+ people homeless. According to NBC News, during the pandemic, LGBTQ people faced higher unemployment rates compared to heterosexual and cisgender people. This rate of unemployment is disproportionate.
Homeless people are more affected by natural disasters and air pollution. Homelessness and unemployment leave members of the LGBTQ+ community less likely to be able to access resources to equip them to handle climate change and its domino effect. Homeless LGBTQ+ people are less likely to have access to information to protect themselves against air pollution. The lack of affordable resources prevents them from obtaining this critical piece of information.
What can we do?
Preconceived prejudices and stigma that are embedded in the very core of society are hard to change. More readily available resources on LGBTQ+ health and ways to protect against air pollution should be more widespread. As young people, it is our responsibility to speak up and raise awareness on niche issues.
Many activists have campaigned for human rights and a greener future. Prime example of this intersection is Jamie Margolin. Margolin is a queer climate activist based in the United States. Margolin came to prominence when her writing was featured in Huffpost and CNN. She is also known for her part in the Aji P v Washington case. In this court battle, 13 young people from across the state of Washington sued the state. They claimed that the state’s Governor, Jay Inslee, violated their right to life by contributing to climate change.
Bibliography
Behal, A. (2021, January 11). How climate change is affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. Down To Earth. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/environment/how-climate-change-is-affecting-the-lgbtqia-community-74988
Moreau, J. (2020, May 13). LGBTQ people face higher unemployment amid coronavirus pandemic, survey finds. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-people-face-higher-unemployment-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-survey-finds-n1205296
Root, R. (2020, September 11). Responses to climate disasters must be LGBTQ-inclusive, experts say. Devex. https://www.devex.com/news/responses-to-climate-disasters-must-be-lgbtq-inclusive-experts-say-98062
Youthv.Gov. (2021). AJI P. V. STATE OF WASHINGTON. Youthv.Gov. https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/washington
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