a young white person with short blond hair smiling at the camera
LGBTQ+
COVID-19 Survivor Impact Briefs 

The National Resource Center for Reaching Victims conducted a series of 
listening sessions to unearth the impact the COVID-19 health crisis is 
having on underserved victims of crime and better resource the crime 
victim services field to respond to those needs. 

This brief summarizes the issues and strategies that emerged from 
listening sessions on LGBTQ+ survivors. 

Introduction 

LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer) communities and the victim 
service providers who offer opportunities for healing, support and justice to them, have been 
deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. LGBTQ+ survivors have historically faced barriers 
to services due to systemic homophobia, biphobia, transphobia; federal, state, and local laws 
and policies that deny or limit access to services; and/or pervasive fears of mistreatment from 
prior negative experiences. LGBTQ+ communities also experience higher health disparities than 
some other population groups, placing them at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 or 
successfully combatting the illness if infected. The intersections of barriers, health disparities, 
survivorship and many other factors, and COVID-19 create new challenges and opportunities for 
victim service providers to continue to improve services in new and innovative ways. This brief 
explores some of those needs and creative solutions shared during listening sessions, strategy 
sessions, and conversations with survivors. 

National Resource Center for Reaching Victims logo (helping those who help others) and FORGE logo

Unique Impacts 

Positive Ramifications of "Safer at Home" for Some LGBTQ+ 
Individuals 

LGBTQ+ youth may actually be experiencing less victimization while sheltering in place 
and not at school or extracurricular activities with their peers. Many LGBTQ+ youth do live 
in affirming households, where they may be receiving more acceptance and celebration 
of who they are, than when they were at school surrounded by micro-aggressions, 
systemic discrimination, and anti-LGBTQ bullying, physical and verbal violence, and sexual 
assault. 





Similarly, many LGBTQ+ adults may be experiencing less stalking and harassment on the 
streets (for example “walking while trans” or the impact of stop and frisk laws); workplace 
harassment, discrimination, physical or verbal violence; or micro-aggressions with co-
workers, supervisors, or interactions on the way to and from the workplace. 





LGBTQ+ seniors are not reporting a dramatic shift in their levels of isolation (which were 
already high prior to COVID-19). While this may not be considered a “positive,” it may not 
be an additional layer of challenge on top of the existing difficulties of isolation. 

The Impact of COVID-19 May Increase Barriers and Fears 





LGBTQ+ communities/survivors often live with high levels of fear, anxiety, depression, and 
post-traumatic stress disorder. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these emotional realities 
are heightened for most survivors. The uncertainty of how the virus is transmitted, the 
health implications (and possible need of getting health care), as well as the economic 
impact, is increasing the existing mental health realities for many LGBTQ+ survivors. 





Many LGBTQ+ people have experienced barriers and negative interactions with 
healthcare providers in the past. Many LGBTQ+ survivors may have additional layers of 
past negative experiences with healthcare providers specifically related to their 
victimization. These prior experiences may influence care-seeking, which may have dire 
results. Similarly, many survivors fear the loss of control in any setting. The possibility of 
seeking emergency care, which may escalate to needing to be placed on a ventilator or 
be hospitalized without their support team, may feel too overwhelming, resulting in 
survivors not seeking medical care at all. 






LGBTQ+ Specific Medical Concerns and Interruptions in Medicaland Mental Health Care 

For those LGBTQ+ individuals who do require hospitalization for COVID-19, many are 
expressing fears that they will be de-prioritized if there are too many patients for the 
available ventilators. Those who live at the intersections of multiple identities are 
experiencing deep fears of others being selected over them for access to ventilators and 
other urgent care. This is particularly true for those who are LGBTQ+ and living with 
disabilities, undocumented, older, visibly queer or trans, low income or without insurance. 





LGBTQ+ survivors who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing rely heavily on seeing peoples’ faces 
and lips, which will be impossible during this time when medical and non-medical 
individuals are wearing face masks. Individuals who need interpreters, have service or 
support animals, or rely heavily on support people, may not have access to those key 
people/animals while service systems are not allowing “visitors” to be present during in-
person interactions. 





While not directly crime-centered, many trans people are not able to access trans-related 
medical services, including routine office visits to maintain hormone prescriptions and lab 
tests. All “elective” surgeries have been canceled, which has resulted in all trans-related 
surgeries being canceled or postponed. Many trans people wait literally over a year for 
surgery dates. For many, surgery – specifically top surgery – relates to physical safety. 





Similarly, many trans and LGBTQ+ individuals are having other medical care 
impacted. For example, many are unable to maintain regular appointments with their 
health care provider for the continuation of hormones, PrEP, or other medications. For 
many, lack of consistent access to hormones or PrEP can be both emotionally devastating 
(and increase PTSD and other symptoms related to prior victimization), as well as can 
literally put their health in danger (especially for those who are continuing to survive in the 
street economy or who are living with an abusive partner – resulting in ongoing sexual 
contact with others). 






Historical Resonance to the AIDS Epidemic 

Many individuals who lived through the height of the AIDS epidemic in the '80s and '90s 
are re-experiencing the horror of losing their friends, being concerned about illness for 
themselves and for their loved ones, and knowing that if they or their loved ones are 
hospitalized they will not be able to visit or be with the people they care about. Coupled 
with concerns about how health care and systems will treat them as LGBTQ+ people, the 
reminders and traumatic memories of the AIDS crisis is resonating for many. For survivors 
of violence, the comingling of these traumatic resonances of the AIDS crisis can elevate 
trauma symptoms related to their victimization. 





Housing Challenges are Heightened for LGBTQ+ Survivors DuringCOVID-19 Pandemic 



Shelters have been extremely taxed during this time. Throughout the country, different 
shelters have changed their policies related to admission of new clients/survivors into 
their residential settings. Some have been working to try to find more permanent rehousing 
options or shelter that is not communal. For LGBTQ+ individuals, there are 
additional layers of complications with shelter, since many LGBTQ+ people have 
historically had substantial challenges in admission to shelters in the best of times. A 
large number of shelters continue to prioritize individuals with children or those who 
identify as female (and often those who are cisgender vs. those who are trans). 


For homeless LGBTQ+ youth, many continue to live on the streets and/or in transient forms 
of housing – shuffling from one home/shelter/hostel to another. This is increasing their 
(and others,) exposure to COVID-19, as well as causing additional stress and strain to 
youth who have already experienced victimization which led them to their place of 
housing (and food) insecurity. [Note: 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ+.] 



Access to Public Benefits May Not be Equal for LGBTQ+ Survivors 

Similar to LGBTQ+ youth who are homeless are the substantial portion of trans people 
who have not held jobs that result in their ability to file taxes and/or receive public 
benefits or stimulus checks. Many may be undocumented, work in the street economy, 
work for payment "under the table," and/or work under more than one name. For this 
population, who have often had multiple prior victimizations – but strong survival 
skills/strategies – they may continue to work in ways that impact their mental and physical 
health. (For example, continuing work in the street economy, which may increase their risk 
of physical violence and sexual assault, as well as exposure to COVID-19.) 





Fewer LGBTQ+ Survivors are Seeking or Receiving Services,
Coupled with Decreased Safety of Services 

Victim service providers who focus on LGBTQ+ populations (or mainstream organizations 
who have an LGBTQ+ active presence) have noted they have experienced a LOWER 
call/contact rate than prior to COVID-19. The presumption is that many survivors of 
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) are living with their abuser and are not able to call or 
contact without their abuser’s knowledge. Most are concerned about the deep and 
potentially deadly impact of LGBTQ+ survivors living with their abusive partner or family 
member (or other individuals they are living with). 





Many victim service providers that have shifted their services to online are either 1) using 
online portals that have lower technology safety or 2) requiring survivors to access 
services through pre-registering or using passcodes. While there is always a balance 
between providing highly secure services that are mindful of victim safety, the barriers 
that some providers are placing on LGBTQ+ survivors is discouraging care seeking. 

Providers are Losing Opportunities for Continuing Education 





Many victim service providers – especially mental health, social workers, legal staff – are 
having difficulty fulfilling their CEU (Continuing Education Unit) requirements due to 
training event cancellations. The conversion of in-person events to online has not always 
resulted in CEUs being offered through online trainings. 






Promising Strategies 

LGBTQ+ Communities Have a History of Relying on Each Other 



Mutual aid projects focusing on LGBTQ+ populations have emerged to support community 
members during this time. Many are grassroots-led, as well as many initiated by faith 
communities. 


In addition to the emergence of mutual aid initiatives, LGBTQ+ people who have circles of 
family-of-choice may have multiple people they can depend on – for support with grocery 
delivery, emotional support, and help with any technology challenges they might be 
experiencing. 


LGBTQ+ survivors who have previously developed safety plans can often use those skills 
and plans during this new time of crisis. For many, their safety plans include relying on the 
non-abusive people in their lives who are steady and supportive. 





Online Services Offer More Support Options 



Although many victim service providers are overwhelmed with the changes and requests 
for services/support, the use of video conferencing has allowed survivors and providers to 
create a unique bond that perhaps had not been possible in face-to-face 
advocacy/services. In some ways, virtual connection has removed one barrier: the 
logistical challenges of transportation and time, as well as some of the possible 
nervousness or apprehension associated with in-person services. 


Many LGBTQ+ individuals already rely heavily on connecting online, so the shift to online 
services and support (peer and professional) may be a smoother transition. 


Virtual connections have also removed the logistical challenges of transportation and 
time – which has allowed enhanced peer-to-peer interactions, in addition to provider-
survivor contact. 



a young Black man with head bowed and hands in prayer by his face.
New Funding Opportunities Offer Support for Changing Times 

There have been multiple new funding opportunities that have rapidly emerged for small 
businesses and non-profits, as well as funds for individuals in need. Many providers have 
explored these options in order to better serve marginalized populations, like LGBTQ+ 
survivors. 

New Resources Are Quickly Developng 







Several LGBTQ+ groups have established robust national resources. For example, the 
Family Equality Council has “a virtual hub for LGBTQ+ families” with many available online 
activities at https://www.familyequality.org/neighborhood/. Another initiative 
is SAGEConnect, which connects LGBTQ+ elders nationwide with telephone buddies. 


Many organizations have quickly created LGBTQ+ specific documents, videos, and other 
supportive resources. While they are not directly linking survivorship within these 
resources, they are COVID-19-specific and LGBTQ+-population-specific. 



About the National Resource Center for Reaching Victims 

The National Resource Center for Reaching Victims (NRC) is a clearinghouse for victim 
service providers, culturally specific organizations, criminal justice professionals, and 
policymakers to get information and expert guidance to enhance their capacity to identify, 
reach, and serve all victims, especially those from communities that are underrepresented in 
healing services and avenues to justice. For more information about the NRC, visit the NRC’s 
website at http://reachingvictims.org. 

About FORGE 

FORGE is the nation’s leading organization focused on violence against transgender/nonbinary 
individuals, founded in 1994. Since 2009, FORGE has held multiple federal contracts 
to provide direct services nationwide to transgender/non-binary victims of crime and to 
provide training and technical assistance to the victim service providers who work with 
transgender/non-binary victims and loved ones. FORGE provides professionals with a wide 
range of support, including one-to-one technical assistance, virtual trainings, presentations 
at conferences, customized in-person intensives, and site visits to increase cultural 
competency. In addition to recorded trainings, FORGE has created and hosts a large, free, 
online library of publications, fact sheets, and other printable resources for providers. For 
more information about FORGE, visit FORGE's website at https://forge-forward.org. 

This resource was produced by the Vera Institute of Justice under award #2016 XV GX K015, awarded by 
the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, 
findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this (insert type of product) are those of the 
contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the 

U.S. Department of Justice. 

April 2020