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Discrimination still alive and well for many LGBTQ New Yorkers: Survey – Metro US

Discrimination still alive and well for many LGBTQ New Yorkers: Survey

A new survey from the comptroller’s office found that discrimination remains for many LGBTQ New Yorkers.

New York City may be the epicenter of the Gay Pride movement, but that doesn’t exactly mean that discrimination against those in the LGBTQ community is nonexistent.

In fact, it’s more common than many might think, according to a new survey from City Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office. The report intended to determine how government services and programs reach LGBTQ New Yorkers — or do not.

According to the survey, which featured responses from 359 LGBTQ residents from all five boroughs:

• 21 percent of total respondents felt they were denied a promotion, fired or not hired for a job due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

• 42 percent of those who identifed as transgender or gender non-conforming believe they were denied a promotion, fired or not hired for a job due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

• 18 percent overall experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. At 40 percent, Hispanics experienced homelessness at the highest rate, followed by blacks at 27 percent and Asians at 23 percent.

• 38 percent of transgender or gender non-conforming survey-takers experienced homelessness.

• Roughly 30 percent of overall respondents found shelter within the city’s homeless system.

•  79 percent reported they felt very unsafe, while 11 percent said they felt unsafe, and the remaining 11 percent felt safe within the city’s shelter system.

• 47 percent overall felt they were denied equal treatment or were harassed either verbally or physically in public due to their sexual orientation. Respondents cited public transportation as the main location of the harassment.

• 70 percent of respondents who identified as transgender or gender non-conforming reported being denied equal treatment or faced physical or verbal harassment in public.

• 17 percent said they notified authorities of the harassment.

When it came to utilizing government benefits within the past five years, 

• 18 percent obtained food assistance
• 12 percent used unemployment insurance
• 7 percent used HIV/AIDS services
• 5 percent used education and/or job-training benefits
• 4 percent used Supplemental Security Income

Stringer’s survey took place during May and June, and nearly half of the 359 respondents were between the ages of 18 and 34. Forty-eight percent lived in Manhattan, while 29 percent resided in Brooklyn, 12 percent in Queens, 9 percent in the Bronx and 3 percent Staten Island.

To view the complete report, visit comptroller.nyc.gov.