This year will likely be remembered for important and positive moments for the United States, including passage of the Equality Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and the widespread distribution of COVID-19 vaccines that have provided nearly half of the population with full immunity. However, it also comes with a sobering statistic: 2021 is on track to become the deadliest year in history for violence against Black transgender individuals, at least 16 of whom have been killed in hate incidents as of this April. Broadly, Black LGBTQ individuals find themselves at the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination, as anti-Blackness and anti-LGBTQ sentiment compound to result in a higher incidence of police interactions, toxic workplace discrimination, and large-scale economic difficulties.
A recent analysis of data from a 2020 Center for American Progress survey shows that 33 percent of Black LGBTQ individuals reported experiencing discrimination in the last year and that this had a significant impact on their lives and everyday experiences. Black LGBTQ individuals regularly alter their behavior to avoid potentially harmful experiences: Nearly 1 in 3 report avoiding public spaces such as stores or restaurants to avoid experiencing discrimination; 2 in 5 have moved away from family to prevent discriminatory experiences; and 1 in 5 avoid travel. They are also more likely than their white counterparts to experience discrimination within LGBTQ spaces. This column outlines areas with the most evident disparities between Black and white survey respondents. (author introduction)
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