LGBT adults face more economic hardship despite equal education levels

Henderson et al. conducted a secondary analysis of data collected in three rounds of the Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey. Launched in 2017 by the Urban Institute, the annual survey is nationally-representative, internet-based, and cross-sectional, with a new sample of 7,500 US adult respondents each year. Available from HMCA, the survey was created to monitor Americans’ basic food, health, and shelter needs as federally-funded social safety nets change, and to provide timely information to inform policy. Henderson et al. wanted to use these data to compare material hardship in LGBT and non-LGBT Americans, and their utilization of social safety net programs. Pooling a sample of 20,000 adults surveyed between 2018-2020, with about eight percent identifying as LGBT, Henderson et al. found that the LGBT respondents faced significantly higher rates of economic hardship compared to their non-LGBT peers, despite having similar education levels. LGBT adults were much more likely to experience food insecurity, medical hardship, utility payment problems, and an inability to cover unexpected expenses. Further, they were more likely to be unemployed, to report lower household incomes, and to be less likely to own homes. These disparities appeared to stem from ongoing discrimination in employment and housing, as well as other factors like family rejection and minority stress. In response to these greater needs, LGBT adults used government safety net programs at higher rates, including SNAP, Social Security, housing assistance, and Medicaid. Henderson et al. viewed it as positive that LGBT individuals were accessing available support despite facing barriers. However, they emphasized that comprehensive anti-discrimination protections are needed to address the root causes of these economic disparities and ensure LGBT Americans can achieve economic security.

June 12, 2025