The Household Pulse Survey (HPS), which operates under the US Census Bureau, is a short, 20-minute online survey focusing on understanding how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted American households. The survey was designed to display real-time information and data on the toll of the pandemic in the lives of both individuals and families. Questions include how the pandemic has affected one's childcare, employment, housing, food security, household spending, and intentions to get a vaccine, among others.
The HPS is in Phase 3.2, which began on July 21, 2021, and will continue until October. This phase was the first time the Census Bureau has asked questions regarding gender identity and sexual orientation. The original survey asked respondents whether they were male or female, but this was rephrased, and several more questions were added: "What sex were you assigned at birth on your original birth certificate?" (Choices: Male or Female); "Do you currently describe yourself as male, female, or transgender?" (Choices: Male, Female, Transgender, None of these); and "Which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?" (Choices: Gay or Lesbian; Straight, that is, not gay or lesbian; Bisexual; Something else; I don't know).
Because of these new questions, the census bureau has been better able to understand how the lives of LGBTQ Americans are being shaped by the pandemic.
Results
The LGBT adult population reported residing in households with greater rates of food and economic insecurity compared to non-LGBT Americans. As of August 11, 2021, about 13.1% of LGBT adults resided in a household that experienced food insecurity within the past seven days, compared to 7.2% of non-LGBT adults. In addition, about 36.6% of LGBT adults resided in a household that experienced difficulty paying for usual household expenses, compared to 26.1% of non-LGBT adults.
About 16.8% of non-LGBT adults resided in a household with lost employment income, compared to 19.8% of LGBT adults.
For individuals residing in a household that was rented or owned with a mortgage loan, 6.0% of non-LGBT adults expressed a lack of confidence in their ability to make their next housing payment on time, compared to 8.2% of LGBT adults.
Although inequalities between LGBT and non-LGBT adults have always been present in society, the coronavirus pandemic has allowed for these to become more pronounced. The senior vice president for programs, research and training at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Jay Brown, said in a written statement that the HPS "highlight[s] what we have long known: LGBTQ+ Americans disproportionately bear the brunt of economic hardships, from food insecurity to unemployment."
A 2020 HRC briefing stated that 40% of LGBTQ people work in food service, hospitals, retail and education – which were all industries significantly impacted by the pandemic, from shutdowns to greater rates of exposure to the virus.
Week 36 of the Phase 3.2 HPS Survey took place from August 18 to August 30, 2021. Below is data comparing LGBT and non-LGBT difficulties. All respondents were 18 years of age or older.
Experienced loss of employment income in last 4 weeks (self or household member):
Food security in the last 7 days:
Difficulty paying for usual household expenses:
Until October, Phase 3.2 of the HPS will continue to collect and release information about the social and economic impact of the pandemic biweekly.
The HPS defines an individual as being LGBT if a respondent reported that their sex at birth does not align with their current gender identity; if the respondent reported their sexual orientation as Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual; and if the respondent currently identifies as being Transgender.
For survey selection, the Census Bureau chooses an address at random and reaches out via text or email (with a few reminder updates). Respondents' answers are confidential.