Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Communities and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Call to Break the Cycle of Structural Barriers. (29th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gil, Raul Macias; Freeman, Tracey L; Mathew, Trini; Kullar, Ravina; Fekete, Thomas; Ovalle, Anais; Nguyen, Don; Kottkamp, Angélica; Poon, Jin; Marcelin, Jasmine R; Swartz, Talia H
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 224:Number 11(2021)
• Page Start: 1810
• Page End: 1820
• Publication Date: 2021-07-29
• Subjects: LGBTQ+ -- COVID-19 -- health disparities -- HIV/AIDS; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab392
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately impacted lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities. Many disparities mirror those of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS epidemic. These health inequities have repeated throughout history due to the structural oppression of LGBTQ+ people. We aim to demonstrate that the familiar patterns of LGBTQ+ health disparities reflect a perpetuating, deeply rooted cycle of injustice imposed on LGBTQ+ people. Here, we contextualize COVID-19 inequities through the history of the HIV/AIDS crisis, describe manifestations of LGBTQ+ structural oppression exacerbated by the pandemic, and provide recommendations for medical professionals and institutions seeking to reduce health inequities. Abstract : This perspective describes the impact that COVID-19 has had on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities and how the history of this group's advocacy from the HIV/AIDS epidemic can inform the care of this highly minoritized population.