II: Economic Inequality, Vulnerabilities and Climate Disasters in LGBTIQ Communities
Discrimination against LGBTIQ communities permeates modern history, resulting in deep social injustices and a general vulnerability that is amplified by climate change and disasters. The stigma around being LGBTIQ and the lack of institutional support pushes people toward (further) socio-economic vulnerability. Apart from often being denied job opportunities and equal pay, sexual and gender minorities are at greater risk of poverty and housing insecurity than cisgender heterosexuals. A recent survey by ILGA Europe suggests that one in five LGBTIQ individuals in the European Union experiences homelessness. This number increases to a third of trans persons and 40% of intersex individuals.
It is crucial to recognise that LGBTIQ individuals facing homelessness encounter heightened risks of violence, discrimination, and exposure to extreme weather events. Financial constraints and housing insecurity can impede their ability to procure and store necessary food supplies for disaster preparedness. Consequently, it is imperative to adopt an integrated approach that acknowledges the intersectionality of poverty, homelessness, and vulnerability to climate change.
The diversity within LGBTIQ communities further highlights the need for adopting an intersectional lens. LGBTIQ individuals of colour face a higher likelihood of experiencing poverty and homelessness compared to their white counterparts within the community. In the United States, the intersectionality of being transgender, young, and a person of colour amid the climate crisis renders this demographic statistically the most susceptible to poverty, homelessness, and violence. Similarly, the struggles of LGBTIQ individuals experiencing poverty may have little resemblance to the struggles of their wealthier counterparts.
LGBTIQ People and Climate Disasters
Sexual and gender minorities are often excluded from information campaigns, emergency services, and relief support. Many countries lack laws and policies that protect the right to disaster relief for LGBTIQ people, even though previous events show how discrimination against LGBTIQ individuals affects their ability to cope with environmental disasters. For example, Puerto Rican queer and trans individuals had limited access to certain medicines and hormones while also dealing with an increase in discrimination and violence after Hurricane Maria. Cases have been documented in which violence against LGBTIQ persons increased in response to natural disasters, following remarks made by religious authorities blaming LGBTIQ people for the events. Incidents of discrimination involving faith-based organisations are especially problematic since these institutions have key roles in disaster relief.