[Marxism] The End of "Gay Affluence:" LGB People More Likely to be Poor

[Adam Richmond <adambrichmond@xxxxxxxxx>]

The End of "Gay Affluence:" LGB People More Likely to be Poor
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/03/the_end_of_gay_affluence_lgb_people_more.php

Filed by: Guest Blogger
March 20, 2009 10:00 AM

Editors' Note: Guest blogger Dr. Gary J. Gates serves as the Williams 
Distinguished Scholar at The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law. He is a 
recognized national expert on the geography and demography of the gay and 
lesbian population and author of The Gay and Lesbian Atlas.

The notion that gay people are disproportionately wealthy represents one of the 
most common and pernicious myths surrounding the LGBT community. The stereotype 
is so widespread that it even found its way into US Supreme Court Justice 
Antonin Scalia's dissent in the 1996 Romer v. Evans case that overturned an 
anti-gay initiative in Colorado.

A new study on gay poverty [pdf] that I co-authored with colleagues from the 
University of Massachusetts (Amherst and Boston) and the Williams Institute 
(UCLA), released today in a Capitol Hill briefing, shows just how wrong Justice 
Scalia was. It turns out that lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGB) are 
actually more likely than heterosexuals to be living in poverty. Further, one 
in five children being raised by same-sex couples in the United States lives in 
poverty, giving further insight into the legal and economics difficulties LGB 
parents face.

We used three different population-based (meaning findings can be generalized 
to the population) and publicly-funded data sources: the 2000 Census, the 2002 
National Survey on Family Growth (NSFG), and the 2005 California Health 
Interview Survey (CHIS). Analyses from all three surveys confirm that large 
numbers of LGB men and women are living in poverty, perhaps as many as a 
quarter of lesbian/bisexual women and one in seven gay/bisexual men. We also 
find that lesbian/bisexual women are more likely than their heterosexual 
counterparts to receive public assistance.

Our study shows that African American LGB people especially those raising 
children, face even more serious economic challenges. Their sexual orientation 
and racial/ethnic identities combine to put them at even greater risk of 
poverty than either black married couples or white gay/lesbian couples. The 
same is true for LGB people living in rural areas.

Unfortunately, there aren't any good data sources on the economic needs and 
issues for transgender people. But a study we did last year that reviewed many 
surveys of transgender people also found that many live below or near the 
poverty level.

This new research presents some provocative findings that challenge popular 
myths about gay affluence. But perhaps more importantly, the findings also 
challenge the LGBT movement and its political agenda. Our analyses clearly 
highlight the importance of issues like marriage equality, employment 
discrimination, and military service-all policy arenas that affect LGBT 
economic conditions and opportunities.

But as each day seems to bring more glum news about home foreclosures, job 
losses, and recession, our findings suggest that LGBT people might be 
particularly vulnerable in this economic downturn. Policy initiatives designed 
to help struggling homeowners, enhance unemployment and public assistance 
benefits, and create new jobs should all be understood as an important part of 
the gay political agenda. Broadening engagement on these issues may be very 
important for the short-term needs of the LGBT community.

This broader strategy may also yield long-term benefits. LGBT political 
involvement in "mainstream" policy initiatives may help to strengthen ties to a 
wide range of diverse organizations and individuals. Active and passionate LGBT 
involvement in the economic debates of today may create important alliances 
that could be crucial in winning the struggle for equality tomorrow.




      
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