National Research Study by Egale Canada and INNOVATIVE Research Group finds LGBTQI2S people in Canada are Disproportionately Impacted during COVID-19 Health Crisis

-Egale is Canada's national LGBTQI2S organization -
- INNOVATIVE a national opinion research consultancy -
- Read the report, Impacts of COVID-19: Canada's LGBTQI2S Community in Focus -

TORONTO, April 6, 2020 /CNW/ -Egale Canada has partnered with Innovative Research Group (INNOVATIVE) to include LGBTQI2S communities in a national research study on the impacts of COVID-19 and the needs of Canadians during this health crisis. The newly released report,  Impacts of COVID-19: Canada's LGBTQI2S Community in Focus, uncovers alarmingly disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable LGBTQI2S communities across several priority areas including household finances, job loss, mental and physical health, overall quality of life, and more. 

"This research is the first of its kind in Canada and has given us a glimpse at the unique vulnerabilities and challenges that our LGBTQI2S people face in this crisis – This is only a starting point," said Helen Kennedy, Executive Director at Egale Canada. "The government needs to apply this timely research to decision making frameworks and policies that assist vulnerable LGBTQI2S communities across Canada."

The survey results show a telling contrast between Canada's LGBTQI2S community and the broader Canadian population. Although astonishing, the results are not unexpected. Below are some of the key findings;

• More than half (52%) of Canada's LGBTQI2S households have faced lay-offs or reduced employment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 39% of overall Canadian households. 
• The perceived negative impacts on mental health over time increase exponentially for LGBTQI2S people with nearly 60% of LGBTQI2S respondents reporting that they expect their mental health to be negatively impacted in the next 2 months compared to only 42% of the general public

Additionally, LGBTQI2S people are significantly more likely to have a chronic illness or physical disability, both of which come with many barriers and risks during a time of crisis. The report also shows that over time, the perceived or expected impacts on LGBTQI2S people rises at an exponentially higher rate than the average Canadian – in some areas there is nearly a 25%increase in perceived or expected negative impacts for particularly vulnerable LGBTQI2S people.

"Everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, the disproportionate numbers we see between the LGBTQI2S community and the general population is really quite astonishing." said Jason Lockhart, Vice President of INNOVATIVE. "We have only scratched the surface, but it is enough to signal that more research is needed with vulnerable communities to ensure that all Canadians are receiving the support they need during this difficult time."

"Every inch closer that we come to closing the data gap, is one step forward towards a more inclusive Canada,'' said Kennedy. "Our LGBTQI2S community is facing critical needs that show the potential to worsen over time – now is the time to be looking at the problems that are on the horizon, not just for LGBTQI2S people, but for everyone."

The survey was conducted online among a representative sample of 2,610 adult Canadians from March 24-29, 2020. The sample has been weighted by age, gender, region and sexual orientation to reflect the actual demographic composition of the Canadian and LGBTQI2S populations, resulting in an overall representative national sample size of 2,000 Canadians and representative national LGBTQI2S sample size of 300. 

About Egale Canada
Egale is Canada's only national organization working to advance LGBTQI2S human rights. Egale works to improve the lives of LGBTQI2S people in Canada and to enhance the global response to LGBTQI2S issues. Egale's vision is a Canada, and ultimately a world, without homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and all other forms of oppression so that every person can achieve their full potential, free from hatred and bias.

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@EgaleCanada |Twitter |Facebook |Instagram

About INNOVATIVE Research Group
INNOVATIVE is a full-service market research firm with offices in Vancouver and Toronto.
www.InnovativeResearch.ca

SOURCE Egale Canada